J.'PZSIDK  N'T     01    TB  •. 


SEVENTEENTH  THOUSAND. 

HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 


BETWEEN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  AND  MEXICO, 


FROM  THE 


COMMENCEMENT  OF  HOSTILITIES 


TO   TH» 


RATIFICATION   OP   THE   TREATY  OP    PEACE, 


BY    JOHN    S.    JENKINS, 
AUTHOR  or  "THB  OENBKALI  or  THE  LA.ST  WA.K  wrru  «RIAT 

ETC.  ETC.  ETC. 


AUBURN; 

DERBY  AND  MILLER. 

1851. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1848,  by 

DERBY,   MILLER   &   CO. 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  for  the  Northern  District  of  New  York 


•TERKOTYPKD    BY    THOMA9    B.    SMITH, 
216   WILLIAM    STRKKT,    K.  T. 


£i]is  tOork  is  OcMcatcb 

TO 

IP  El    AMEISEIDAH   A1MY, 

BOTH    REGULARS    AND    VOLUNTEERS, 

WHOSE   GALLANTRY   AND   INTREPIDITY   WERE   SO   OFTEN   MANIFESTED 

DURING  THE   PROGRESS    OF  THE   WAR   WITH  MEXICO;    AND  THE 

RECORD   OF   WHOSE   ACHIEVEMENTS   WILL   CONSTITUTE, 

THROUGH   ALL  FUTURE  TIME,   ONE   OF   THE   MOST 

ATTRACTIVE   FEATURES    OF   OUR   MILITARY 

AND  NATIONAL   BISTORT. 


345931 


PREFACE. 


THE  War  with  Mexico  constitutes  an  episode,  an.\  by  no 
means,  an  unimportant  one,  in  the  history  of  the  American 
Union.  Its  brilliant  scenes,  and  stirring  incidents,  have  at 
tracted  unusual  attention,  and  they  must  long  continue  to 
be  remembered.  The  honor  of  the  nation,  and  the  triumph 
of  her  arms,  are  so  closely  allied,  in  the  estimation  of  our 
citizens,  that  the  permanent  record  of  these  events  cannot 
be  devoid  of  interest. — The  military  annals  of  the  world  pre 
sent  no  higher,  or  more  enduring  evidences,  of  the  skill  and 
courage  of  any  other  soldiery.  Each  arm  of  the  service, — 
cavalry,  artillery,*  and  infantry, — has  gained  imperishable 
renown ;  and  the  navy,  too,  ever  famed  for  its  gallantly  and 
heroism,  though  necessarily  participating,  to  a  less  extent,  in 
the  active  operations  of  the  war,  is  entitled  to  no  small  share 
of  the  laurels  which  have  been  won. 

Since  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  there  has  certainly 

*  It  will  be  borne  in  mind,  by  the  reader,  that  the  artillery  regiments 
in  the  American  service,  are  equipped,  and  act,  as  infantry  ;  with  tha 
exception  of  those  detached  companies  serving  with  batteries,  and  des 
ignated  by  the  names  of  their  commanding  officers. 


VI  PREFACE. 

been  no  great  dearth  of  publications,  having  reference,  di 
rectly  or  indirectly,  to  the  prosecution  of  the  war.  Bio 
graphical  sketches  of  our  most  distinguished  officers,  and 
numerous  compilations,  glancing  at  the  more  important 
achievements  of  the  army,  have  been  issued ; — but,  at  the 
moment  of  writing  this  Preface,  I  am  not  aware  of  the  pub 
lication  of  any  complete  history  of  the  collision  between  the 
two  great  republics  on  this  Continent,  which  is  now  happily 
terminated.  Such  a  work  must  naturally  be  desired,  and 
these  pages  have  been  written,  with  a  view  of  satisfying,  in 
some  degree,  the  public  expectation. 

In  the  preparation  of  this  volume,  my  main  reliance,  for 
the  facts  and  details  connected  with  the  military  operations, 
has  been  upon  the  official  reports  of  the  officers  of  the  army, 
— as  well  those  occupying  subordinate  positions,  as  those  at 
the  head  of  columns  or  divisions.  The  narrative,  proper,  of 
the  war,  is  preceded  by  a  review  of  its  origin  and  causes, 
written  after  a  careful  examination  of  the  diplomatic  corre 
spondence,  and  the  various  publications,  of  a  public  or  pri 
vate  character,  that  have  appeared  from  time  to  time,  calcu 
lated  to  throw  any  light  on  the  subject. 

Most  of  the  works  which  have  been  of  service  to  me,  in 
preparing  the  volume,  are  cited  in  the  text,  or  notes. 
Among  those  not  so  cited,  are, — Jewell's  History  of  the 
Revolution  in  Texas  ;  "  Texas  and  the  Texans,"  by  H.  Stu 
art  Foote ;  "  Our  Army  on  the  Rio  Grande,"  and  "  Our 
Army  at  Monterey,"  by  T.  B.  Thorpe  ;  the  Campaign 


PREFACE.  V 

Sketches  of  Captain  W.  S.  Henry  ;  "  The  Conquest  of  Cal 
ifornia  and  New  Mexico,"  by  J.  Madison  Cutts ;  "Doni- 
phan's  Expedition,"  by  J.  T.  Hughes ;  and  "  Adventures  in 
Mexico,"  by  C.  Dunnovan. 

I  have  also  derived  much  valuable  information  from  the 
letters  of  the  regular  and  occasional  correspondents  of  differ 
ent  public  journals,  and,  particularly,  those  of  the  New  Or 
leans  press.  I  have  often  found  these,  however,  conflicting 
very  materially  with  the  official  statements,  and,  as,  from  the 
nature  of  the  case,  was  to  be  presumed,  more  or  less  tinged 
with  the  gossip  of  the  camp.  It  has,  therefore,  been  some- 
tunes  extremely  difficult  to  separate  the  real  from  the  fanci 
ful  ;  and  I  can  hardly  flatter  myself  with  the  hope  that  I 
have  entirely  avoided  errors,  though  I  trust  none  may  be 
found,  impairing  the  general  fidelity  of  the  work. 

It  is  likewise  proper  that  I  should  acknowledge  my  In 
debtedness  to  the  well-executed  maps  of  Majors  Turnbull 
and  Linnard,  and  the  other  able  and  intelligent  officers  of  the 
Corps  of  Topographical  Engineers,  which  have  accompanied 
the  official  reports  from  the  seat  of  war. 

My  thanks  are  further  due,  to  J.  S.  Meehan,  Esquire,  the 
Librarian  of  Congress,  and  his  assistants,  for  their  kindness 
and  courtesy ;  and  to  the  Hon.  John  A.  Dix,  of  the  United 
States  Senate,  for  the  receipt  of  several  valuable  public  doc 
uments. 

AUBURH,  September  1,  1848. 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORIGIN  AND   CAUSES  OF   THE   WAR. 

Page 

The  Government  and  People  of  the  United  States— Revolutions  in 
Mexico — Claims  of  American  citizens — Negotiations — Warlike 
feelings — Settlement  of  Texas — Revolution — Proposition  for  An 
nexation  to  the  United  States— Treaty  of  President  Tyler— Joint 
Resolutions — Admission  of  Texas — Her  Boundaries — March  of 
General  Taylor  to  the  Rio  Grande — Hostile  Demonstrations  on 
the  part  of  Mexico — Capture  of  Thornton  and  his  party  ...  15 

CHAPTER  II. 

BATTLES  ON  THE  RIO  GRANDE. 

The  intelligence  of  Thornton's  Capture  received  in  the  United 
States— Fears  for  the  Safety  of  General  Taylor— Proceedings  of 
Congress — Preparations  for  War — Prompt  response  to  the  call  for 
Volunteers — The  Army  of  Occupation — Skirmishing — March  to 
Point  Isabel — Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown — Battle  of  Palo  Alto 
— Resaca  de  la  Palma — Capture  of  Matamoras,  and  other  Mex 
ican  Towns  on  the  Rio  Grande 89 

CHAPTER   III. 

CALIFORNIA   AND   NEW   MEXICO. 

Fremont's    Expedition — Jealousy  of  the   Mexican   Authorities — 

Affair  at   Sonoma — Declaration  of  Independence — The  Pacific 

Squadron — Capture  of  all  the  prominent  points  in  the  Californias 

March  of  the  Army  of  the  West  from  Fort  Leavenworth  to  Santa 

P6    Conquest  of  New  Mexico — Departure  of  General  Kearay 


X  CONTENTS. 

Page 

for  California— Counter  Revolution— Battle  of  San  Pascual — 
Passage  of  the  San  Gabriel — Ciudad  de  los  Angelos — Arrival  of 
Troops,  and  complete  occupation  of  the  Country 123 

CHAPTER  IV. 

MONTEREY. 

Censure  of  General  Arista — Arrival  of  Volunteers  on  the  Rio  Grand** 
—  Proclamation  —  Difficulty  in  procuring  Transportation  and 
Supplies — Advance  of  the  Army — Encounter  at  Ramos — Defen 
ces  of  Monterey — Skirmish  at  San  Jeromino — Storming  of  Fed- 
eracion  Hill  and  the  Soldada — Diversion  in  the  lower  part  of  the 
Town — The  Enemy's  line  of  defence  penetrated — Terrible  slaugh 
ter  among  the  Assailants — Capture  of  the  Bishop's  Palace — The 
Americans  in  the  City — Street-fighting — Capitulation  ....  149 

CHAPTER    V. 

WOOL'S  COLUMN. 

Terms  of  the  Capitulation  at  Monterey — Armistice — Revolution  in 
Mexico — Return  of  Santa  Anna — Proposition  to  Negotiate — 
Evacuation  of  Monterey — Concentration  of  troops  at  San  An 
tonio  de  Bexar — March  of  General  Wool — Change  of  Route — 
Monclova — Termination  of  the  Armistice — Occupation  of  Saltillo, 
Parras,  and  Tampico — The  Mexican  Army  at  San  Luis  Potosi — 
Threatened  Attack  on  Saltillo — March  to  Victoria 178 

CHAPTER  VI. 

NAVAL   OPERATIONS   IN   THE   GULF. 

The  American  Navy — The  Home  Squadron — Blockade  of  the  Mex 
ican  Ports — Loss  of  the  Truxton — Laws  passed  by  the  Govern 
ment  of  Mexico  to  encourage  Privateering — Attempt  against 
Alvarado — Attack  on  Tabasco — Occupation  of  Tampico — Burn 
ing  of  the  Creole — Wreck  of  the  Somers— Capture  of  Laguna  .  195 


CHAPTER  VII, 

BUENA   VISTA. 

General  Scott  ordered  to  Mexico — Expedition  to  Vera  Cruz— With 
drawal  of  Troops  from  the  Army  under  General  Taylor— Surprise 


CONTENTS.  Xi 

Page 

of  Arkansas  and  Kentucky  Cavalry  at  Encarnacion — Advance 
of  Santa  Anna  from  San  Luis  Potosi — The  Pass  of  Angos 
tura  — Buena  Vista — Position  of  the  American  Troops — Approach 
of  the  Enemy— The  Battle— Bravery  of  the  Volunteers — Skir 
mish  near  Saltillo — Disastrous  retreat  of  the  Mexican  Army — 
Attack  on  the  Wagon  Trains— Pursuit  of  Urrea 206 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

SAN  JUAN  DE  ULUA. 

The  Island  of  Lobos — Rendezvous  of  American  Forces — Offer  to 
negotiate — Vefa  Cruz — Castle  of  San  Juan  De  Ulua — Landing 
of  the  Troops  under  General  Scott — Skirmishing — Line  of  In 
vestment— Bombardment— Effect  of  the  Fire— Affair  at  the  Pu- 
ente  delMidois — Dragoon  fight  at  Madellin — Capitulation  of  the 
City  and  Castle— Capture  of  Alvarado — Advance  of  the  Army 
into  the  Interior— Opening  of  the  Mexican  Ports 344 


CHAPTER   IX. 

SCOTT   AT   CERRO  GORDO. 

Return  of  Santa  Anna  to  the  city  of  Mexico— Fortifications  at 
Cerro  Gordo— Arrival  of  the  American  Army  at  the  Rio  del  Plan 
—Storming  the  Heights— The  Enemy  routed— Capture  of  Jalapa 
and  Perote — The  Guerilleros— Proclamation  of  General  Scott- 
Entrance  of  the  Americans  into  Puebla — Warlike  proceedings  of 
the  Mexican  government — Skirmishing  on  the  road  from  Vera 
Cruz— The  Aimy  reinforced— March  towards  the  Mexican  Cap 
ital  .268 


CHAPTER  X. 

DONIPHAN'S  MARCH. 

The  Missouri  Volunteers — Expedition  against  the  Navajos — Orders 
to  join  General  Wool — La  Jornada  del  Muerto — Skirmish  at 
Bracito — El  Paso  del  Norte — Fortifications  of  the  Enemy  at  the 
Pass  of  Sacramento— The  Battle— Flight  of  the  Mexicans — 
Entrance  into  the  City  of  Chihuahua — March  to  Monterey — Re 
turn  Home  ,  i  ,  ,  *  „  .  305 


XH  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XI. 

REVOLT   IN   NEW   MEXICO. 

Page 

Disaffection  among  the  inhabitants  of  New  Mexico — Murder  of 
Governor  Bent  and  others— March  of  Colonel  Price — Defeat  of 
the  enemy  at  Canada — Affair  at  Moro — The  Pass  of  Embudo — 
Storming  of  Puebla  de  Taos— Suppression  of  the  Revolt— Dep 
redations  in  the  Valley  of  the  Moro — Skirmishes  with  the  Marau 
ders—Quiet  restored  in  the  Province 321 


CHAPTER  XII. 

CONTRERAS  AND   CHURTJBUSCO. 

Route  from  Puebla — The  Valley  of  Mexico — Fortifications — Turn 
ing  Lake  Chalco — Affair  at  Oka  Laka — March  of  Major  Lally  from 
Vera  Cruz  to  Jalapa — Arrival  of  the  American  army  at  San  Augus- 
tin — Attempt  to  reach  the  San  Angel  road — Crossing  the  Pedregal 
— The  Night  Bivouac — Storming  the  Intrenchments  at  Contreras 
— The  Enemy  driven  from  San  Antonio — Battle  of  Churubusco — 
The  Victors  at  the  Gates  of  the  Capital 334 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

EL     MOLINO    DEL     REY. 

The  Armistice — Fruitless  attempt  at  Negotiation — Bad  faith  of  the 
Mexican  authorities — Political  dissensions— Violation  and  Rup 
ture  of  the  Truce — Correspondence  between  General  Scott  and 
Santa  Anna — Reconnaissances — Assault  of  El  Molino  del  Rey 
and  Casa  de  Mata — Severity  of  the  Action — The  Enemy  driven 
from  their  position 374 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

CAPTURE     OF     MEXICO 

Preparations  for  a  final  attack  on  the  City  and  its  defences— Heavy 
Batteries  planted— The  Cannonade— Storming  of  Chapultepec— 


CONTENTS.  Xlll 

Pag* 

Advance  of  General  Quitman  to  the  Garita  de  B61en  and  the 
Ciudadela— Operations  of  General  Worth  on  the  San  Cosmo 
Causeway — Flight  of  Santa  Anna  and  his  Army — Entrance  of 
General  Scott  into  the  Capital— The  Leperos— Q,uiet  restored  in 
the  City — Change  in  the  Mexican  Administration 398 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE  ARMY  UNDER  TAYLOR. 

The  American  forces  on  the  line  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  in  the 
Valley  of  the  Rio  Grande — Correspondence  between  General 
Taylor  and  General  Mora  y  Villamil — The  Texan  Rangers — Ex 
pedition  to  Huejutla — Part  of  General  Taylor's  forces  ordered  to 
Vera  Cruz — Position  of  the  Troops — The  command  transferred 
to  General  Wool  .  433 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE    GULF    SQUADRON. 

Expedition  against  Tuspan— Capture  of  the  Town— The  Carmel- 
ita— Recapture  of  Tabasco — Repeated  Skirmishes  with  the  Ene 
my — Affair  at  Timulte — Abandonment  of  the  City — Difficulties 
in  Yucatan  .  .  .  • .  445 


CHAPTER  XVII, 

CLOSING   SCENES   OF    THE   WAR. 

Defence  of  Puebla— Occupation  of  the  Prominent  Points  on  the 
National  Road— March  of  General  Lane  to  the  Relief  of  Colonel 
Childs— Battle  of  Huamantla— Attack  on  Atlixco — The  Gueril- 
leros — Opening  of  General  Scott's  Communications — The  Mex 
ican  Congress  and  Government — Negotiations  Resumed — The 
Army  in  the  Capital — Orders  for  the  Collection  of  Taxes — Ex 
pedition  to  Tehuacan— Affairs  in  California— Capture  of  Gua- 
yamas  and  Mazatlan— Defence  of  La  Paz  and  San  Jose— March 
of  General  Price  upon  Chihuahua— Storming  of  Santa  Cruz  de 
Rosale* ,  *64 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

TREATY  OF  PEACE. 

Page 

Firmness  of  the  Mexican  Administration— Treaty  of  Peace  con 
cluded — Skirmishes — Expedition  of  General  Lane — Ratification 
of  the  Treaty — Evacuation  of  Mexico  by  the  American  Troops — 
Reflections— The  Territory  Acquired— Capacity  of  our  Country 
for  War— Conclusion 491 


THE  WAR  WITH  MEXICO, 


CHAPTER  I. 

ORIGIN    AND    CAUSES    OF    THE    WAR. 

The  Government  ami  People  of  the  United  States — Revolutions  in 
Mexico — Claims  of  American  "itizens — Negotiations — Warlike  feel 
ings — Settlement  of  Texas — Revolution — Proposition  for  Annexation 
to  the  United  States — Treaty  of  President  TyJer — Joint  Resolutions 
— Admission  of  Texas — Her  Boundaries — March  of  General  Taylor 
to  the  Rio  Grande — Hostile  demonstrations  on  the  part  of  Mexico — 
Capture  of  Thornton  and  his  party. 

FROM  the  time  of  the  cessation  of  hostilities  with 
Great  Britain,  in  pursuance  of  the  treaty  concluded  at 
Ghent,  in  December  1814,  until  1846,  a  period  of  more 
than  thirty  years,  the  government  of  the  United  States 
was  not  involved  in  war  with  any  of  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  Occasional  interruptions  of  her  friendly  rela 
tions  with  other  countries  and  governments  temporarily 
disturbed  the  harmony  previously  existing  between 
them ;  but  the  causes  of  dispute  were  soon  removed, 
and  every  difficulty  satisfactorily  adjusted,  with,  per 
haps,  the  single  exception — that  which  terminated  in 
the  war  with  Mexico.  The  American  Confederacy 
was  formed,  not  for  the  political  aggrandizement  of  its 
members,  collectively  or  individually,  but  solely  and 
entirely  for  purposes  of  mutual  protection  and  defence. 
It  has  been  our  uniform  policy,  since  the  assertion  and 


16  THE    AMERICAN    NATION. 

successful  vindication  of  our  independence,  though 
never  sacrificing  anything  of  national  dignity,  to  keep 
aloof  from  all  entangling  alliances  with  foreign  powers, 
to  avoid  subjects  of  contention  likely  to  furnish  an  ex 
cuse  for  their  interference  in  our  domestic  affairs,  and 
assiduously  to  cultivate  the  arts  and  the  institutions  of 
peace.  The  elements  of  greatness  and  power  are  ours; 
yet  these  have  been  manifested,  not  so  much  in  the 
achievements  of  our  armies,  and  the  splendor  of  our  mil 
itary  establishments,  as  in  the  protection  afforded  to  our 
commerce,  and  the  encouragement  given  to  the  agri 
cultural  and  industrial  pursuits  to  which  our  people  are 
devoted.  The  growth  of  the  nation  has  been  rapid, 
beyond  parallel.  At  the  beginning  of  the  present  cen 
tury,  she  was  weak  and  feeble — she  is  now  great  and 
powerful.  But  her  career  of  glory,  unexampled  as  it 
is,  has  been  marked,  more  than  all,  by  the  development 
of  new  principles  in  government,  by  the  energy  and 
industry  which  have  made  the  wilderness  to  blossom 
like  the  rose,  and  by  the  extension  of  human  civiliza 
tion,  from  the  frozen  regions  of  the  north  to  the  land 
of  perpetual  flowers — from  the  rock-bound  coast  of 
the  Atlantic  to  the  prairies  of  the  West — "  the  gardens 
of  the  desert/'  whose  "  very  weeds  are  beautiful,"  and 
whose 

11  waste 
More  rich  than  other  climes'  fertility." 

At  the  close  of  the  Revolution,  a  new  government 
was  established,  and  we  became,  emphatically,  a  new 
people.  It  was  our  aim  and  object  to  remain  at  peace 
with  the  world,  and  to  continue  forever  wholly  inde 
pendent  of  every  other  power.  Our  land  was  the 
refuge  of  the  oppressed  of  every  nation  and  creed  ;  the 
natural  enmity  of  the  Briton  and  the  Gaul  was  forgot 


MARTIAL    SPIRIT.  17 

ten ;  the  traits  and  characteristics  which  were  always 
found  arrayed  in  hostility  upon  the  Eastern  Continent, 
were  here  blended  harmoniously  together ;  and  those 
prejudices  calculated  to  diminish  or  impair  the  strength 
of  the  alliance,  were  softened  and  subdued  by  the  con 
sciousness  that  its  preservation  was  essential  to  our 
safety.  The  terms  "  Anglo-Saxon,"  and  "Anglo-Amer 
ican,"  are  often  applied  to  us ;  but  is  not  this  the  lan 
guage  of  mere  affectation  and  cant  ?  Surely  they 
are  inapplicable  to  us  and  to  our  children.  We  have 
sprung  from  the  Saxon,  the  Norman,  and  the  Celt,  with 
here  and  there  an  admixture  of  nearly  all  the  other 
races  of  the  earth.  We  are  Americans ! — neither  more 
nor  less — and  why  should  we  claim  a  different  title 
from  that  which  Washington  and  his  contemporaries 
were  proud  to  own  ?  This  is  ours,  justly  ours ;  and 
it  has  become  a  passport  to  respect  and  confidence 
throughout  the  world. 

While  engrossed  in  the  prosecution  of  those  peace 
ful  pursuits,  for  the  security  of  which  their  government 
was  formed,  the  American  people  have  not  been  un 
mindful  of  the  efforts  that  have  been  made  to  establish 
institutions  similar  to  their  own,  in  other  quarters  of 
the  globe.  Their  sympathies  were  never  withheld 
from  the  oppressed,  nor  their  assistance  denied,  when 
it  could  be  rendered  consistently  with  their  duties  and 
obligations  as  a  nation.  Neither  have  they  failed  to 
assert,  at  all  proper  times,  and  on  all  proper  occasions, 
their  rights  as  a  separate  and  independent  sovereignty. 
The  martial  spirit  of  a  republic,  whose  independence 
was  secured  by  force  of  arms,  could  not  be  easily  sub 
dued.  Every  citizen  among  us  shares  the  privileges 
and  the  responsibilities  of  government ;  each  one  can 
say,  like  the  French  monarch,  though  in  a  far  different 


19  PATRIOTISM. 

spirit,  u  I  am  the  state !"  and  hence  it  is,  that  the  lan 
guage  of  menace,  or  an  act  of  outrage  or  insult  com 
mitted  in  the  remotest  section  of  the  Union,  sends  an 
instantaneous  thrill  through  the  breasts  of  our  country 
men.  Peace  societies  and  conventions  have  denounced 
feuds,  and  contentions,  and  wars ;  they  have  striven  to 
inculcate  mildness  and  forbearance  in  the  adjustment 
of  all  difficulties  among  governments  ;  they  have 
labored,  earnestly  and  zealously,  to  make  forgiveness 
the  law  of  the  council-room  and  the  audience-cham 
ber  ;  but,  however  praiseworthy  their  efforts,  or  benev 
olent  their  intentions,  they  have  produced  little  change 
in  the  feelings  and  dispositions  of  the  American  people. 
Go  where  we  may,  at  home  or  abroad, — on  the  sea  or 
on  the  land, — wherever  we  find  one  of  our  citizens, 
standing  beneath  the  broad  folds  of  our  national  flag, 
we  shall  see  his  eye  kindle  and  his  bosom  throb,  as  he 
gazes  on  the  proud  emblem  floating  above  him  ;  and  if, 
at  such  a  moment,  violence  be  offered,  either  rightfully 
or  wrongfully,  to  him  or  to  it,  his  arm  is  nerved  for  the 
defence  with  tenfold  vigor  and  strength  ! 

The  moralist  who  can  sit  calmly  down  to  analyze 
the  sentiment  which  is  thus  manifested,  may  discover 
something  of  error  mixed  up  with  what  is  commenda 
ble  ;  but  so  long  as  it  forms  the  same  part  of  our  na 
tures  with  patriotism  and  love  of  country,  it  cannot 
well  be  separated.  If  it  be  dangerous  to  arouse  it,  with 
out  justifiable  and  sufficient  cause,  it  is  far  more  so,  to 
trifle  with,  or  insult  it  with  impunity.  This  sentiment, 
or  emotion,  or  impulse,  by  whatever  name  it  may  be 
dignified,  has  become  a  fixed  and  abiding  principle  in 
the  hearts  of  our  fellow-citizens ;  and  it  was  never  more 
signally  exhibited  than  during  the  progress  of  the  Mex 
ican  war.  Differences  of  opinion  existed  with  regard 


REPUBLIC    OF    MEXICO.  10 

to  the  necessity  for  the  commencement  of  hostilities  ; 
but  when  once  determined  on,  all  classes  and  parties 
aided  in  their  vigorous  prosecution.  Our  young  men, 
at  the  plough  and  in  the  workshop — in  the  office  and 
the  counting-house — in  town  and  in  country — had  no 
sooner  heard  of  battles,  than  they  longed  "  to  follow  to 
the  field."  The  recital  of  the  brilliant  deeds  performed 
by  men  animated  by  such  a  spirit,  will,  no  doubt,  be 
welcome  to  the  reader  :  but  before  proceeding  with  the 
narrative,  the  origin  and  causes  of  the  war  seem  very 
appropriately  to  demand  attention. 

The  republic  of  Mexico,  for  such  she  has  claimed  to 
be,  amid  all  the  phases  and  changes  in  her  political  con 
dition,  has  never  possessed  a  firm  or  stable  government 
since  1821,  when  she  ceased  to  be  one  of  the  depend 
encies  of  the  Spanish  crown,  except  during  the  first 
presidency  under  the  federal  constitution.     Her  pro 
longed  struggle  for  independence  was  not  viewed  with 
indifference  in  the  United  States.     The  government  of 
the  latter  was  the  first  to  recognize  her  separate  exist 
ence,  and  her  battle  fields  were  crimsoned  with  the  blood 
of  many  an  American  citizen.     In  the  darkest  hour  of 
her  fortunes,  in  the  midst  of  peril  and  difficulty,  she  was 
cheered  and  encouraged  by  those  who  had  encountered 
s:  mlar  trials  and  dangers,  and  who  were  then  basking 
m    he  sunshine  of  freedom,  and  enjoying  the  rich  re 
ward  they  had  labored  to  secure.     The  ties  and  associ 
ations  thus  formed,  it  was  hoped  would  become  more 
Grm  and  enduring,  as  the  commercial  and  social  inter 
course  between  the  two  countries  was  extended.     But 
he  character  and  habits  of  the  Mexican  people  unfitted 
hem  for  the  rational  enjoyment  of  free  institutions  ;  and 
hey  became  the  easy  prey  of  the  military  despots,  who 
jy  turns  harassed  and  oppressed  them.     The  descend- 


20  CIVIL    DISSENSIONS. 

ants  of  the  Spaniard,  while  they  have  retained  many 
of  the  more  noble  traits  of  their  ancestors,  they  have 
acquired  all  the  baser  passions  and  characteristics  of  the 
different  races  with  which  they  have  amalgamated.* 
They  are  passionate  and  vindictive,  treacherous  and 
cruel,  indolent  and  selfish ;  and  their  bravery  is  an  im 
pulse  rather  than  a  sentiment.  Thefarte  of  the  an 
cient  Hidalgo,  the  pride  of  the  old  Castilian,  are  almost 
forgotten ;  and  the  faith  of  their  forefathers  is  corrupted 
by  the  traditions  of  Tlascala  and  Cholula. 

In  1822,  Iturbide  was  proclaimed  Emperor  of  Mexico, 
by  the  lawless  and  licentious  soldiery  whom  he  had 
rendered  obedient  to  his  wishes.  His  short  reign  was 
characterized  by  the  profligacy,  anarchy,  and  corrup 
tion,  which  reigned  everywhere  triumphant.  The  money 
and  property  of  ibreign  merchants  were  seized  without 
warrant  or  justification,  and  the  laws  of  nations  openly 
and  constantly  disregarded.  His  attempt  to  unite  the 
descendants  of  the  Spaniards,  and  the  original  natives 
of  Mexico,  on  terms  of  amity  and  friendship,  in  support 
of  a  government  whose  rapacity  was  only  limited  by 
its  power  of  gratification,  proved  utterly  abortive.  He 
was  -dethroned  and  put  to  death  by  an  exasperated  peo- 
pie,  in  1824,  at  which  time  the  federal  constitution,  mod 
elled  after  that  of  the  United  States,  was  adopted,  and 
Victoria  elevated  to  the  presidency.  Aside  from  the 
revolt  of  General  Bravo,  the  vice-president,  which  was 
soon  quelled,  his  term  of  office  was  comparatively  tran 
quil  and  peaceful ;  yet,  in  several  instances,  the  prop- 

*  The  population  of  Mexico  is  about  7,000,000.  One-fifth  of  this  num 
ber  are  whites,  of  Spanish  origin;  two-fifths,  Indians;  and  the  re 
mainder,  partly  negroes,  but  mainly  composed  of  a  mongrel  population, 
descended  from  whites,  Indians,  and  negroes,  who  are  termed  Mesli- 
goes,  Mulattoes,  and  Zamboes. 


SANTA    ANNA.  21 

erty  of  American  citizens  was  illegally  wrested  from 
them  by  the  corrupt  agents  of  the  government.  Upon 
the  expiration  of  Victoria's  term,  a  bloody  contest  en 
sued  between  the  rival  candidates  for  the  succession. 
General  Guerrero  was  the  successful  candidate,  and  his 
competitor,  Pedrazo,  was  banished.  Within  a  year  the 
former  was  deprived  of  his  power  and  his  life.  Con 
fusion,  disorder,  and  misrule,  prevailed  throughout  the 
republic.  Two  great  parties,  embracing  numerous 
minor  factions,  were  contesting  for  the  supremacy. 
The  Federalistas  were  in  favor  of  adhering  to  the  con 
stitution  of  1824,  and  the  Centralistas  desired  to  estab 
lish  a  central  consolidated  government.  Guerrero  was 
succeeded  by  the  vice-president,  Bustamente,  a  prom 
inent  and  leading  centralist.  The  war  between  the 
two  parties  was  waged  more  fiercely  than  ever.  Bus 
tamente  was  finally  banished,  and  General  Antonio 
Lopez  de  Santa  Anna,  one  of  the  heroes  of  the  revolu 
tion,  was  raised  to  power  by  the  joint  efforts  of  the 
aristocracy  and  clergy.  The  constitution  of  1824  was 
nominally  preserved  during  all  these  dissensions  ;  but 
in  October,  1835,  it  was  set  aside  by  Santa  Anna,  and 
the  country  divided  into  departments,  with  governors 
appointed  by  the  central  authorities.*  The  southern 
states,  or  provinces,  generally  concurred  in  the  change ; 
but  those  at  the  north  refused  to  accede,  until  they  were 
chastised  into  submission  by  the  presidential  dictator, 
who  had  broken  the  league  of  federation,  and  established 
centralism  in  its  stead.  Texas  alone  refused  to  surren 
der  her  state  sovereignty,  and  maintained  a  successful 

*  Under  the  federal  constitution,  Mexico  was  divided  into  19  states, 
4  territories,  and  a  federal  district.  The  provinces  of  Coahuila  and 
Texas  were  formed  into  a  state  bearing  the  names  of  both. 


22  CONSOLIDATION. 

resistance  against  the  armies  sent  to  subdue  her.* 
This  consolidated  government,  formed  in  1835,  under 
went  no  material  change,  until  the  year  1846,  although 
its  founder  was  compelled  to  share  the  power  secured 
to  the  central  head,  in  turn,  with  Bustamente,  Herrera, 
and  Paredes.f 

While  the  republic  of  Mexico  was  divided  and  dis 
tracted  by  these  internal  tumults  and  disorders,  the 
government  of  Spain  attempted  its  re-subjugation.  Ex 
peditions  and  armaments  were  fitted  out,  but  they  only 
served  to  exhaust  the  treasuries  of  both  the  mother 
country  and  her  former  colony.  The  Mexican  author 
ities  employed  the  most  illegal  measures  to  replenish 
their  coffers.  The  position  of  the  United  States,  in 
the  immediate  vicinity,  and  the  extent  of  their  com 
merce  in  the  Gulf,  caused  them  to  feel  the  effects  of 
the  arbitrary  proceedings  which  were  resorted  to,  more 
seriously  than  any  other  nation,  and  rendered  it  im- 

*  Yucatan  followed  the  example  of  Texas,  in  1840,  and  declared 
herself  independent.  In  1843  she  was  reunited  to  Mexico;  but  in 

1846,  she  again  revolted,  and,  assuming  a  position  of  neutrality,  refused 
to  take  part  in  the  war  against  the  United  States. 

f  Paredes  is  an  avowed  monarchist  in  principle,  and  after  his  acces 
sion  to  power,  the  calling  of  a  foreign  prince  to  the  throne  was  advo 
cated  in  thecolumns  of  the  "  Tiempo,"a  journal  conducted  hy  Lucas  Ata 
man,  one  of  his  confidential  friends,  and  the  author  of  his  convocatnria, 
or  edict,  calling  together  the  constituent  Congress,  promulgated  on  the 
27th  of  January,  1846.  The  same  idea  was  suggested  by  a  French  au 
thor,  (M.  de  Mofras,)  in  a  work  on  Oregon  and  California,  published 
with  the  approbation  of  the  Court  of  France,  in  1814.  He  advocated 
the  establishment  of  a  European  monarchy,  and  thought  a  suitable  per 
son  to  occupy  the  throne  might  be  selected  from  the  infantas  of  Spain, 
the  French  princes,  or  the  archdukes  of  Austria.  From  a  statement 
made  by  Senor  Olozoga  in  the  Cortes  of  Spain,  on  the  1st  of  December, 

1847,  it  appears  that  large  sums  of  money  were  drawn  from  the  treasury 
in  Havana,  in  the  year  184G,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  Spanish 
priarc  on  the  throne  of  Mexico. 


CLAIMS    OF    AMERICAN    CITIZENS.  23 

possible  to  maintain  that  strict  amity  which,  under 
other  auspices,  might  have  been  forever  preserved  be 
tween  the  two  great  republics  on  the  Western  Con 
tinent.  Vessels  sailing  under  the  American  flag  were 
plundered  ;  the  goods  of  our  merchants  confiscated, 
and  the  owners,  or  their  agents,  imprisoned  with  im 
punity.  The  advent  to  power  of  each  new  usurper, 
was  attended  by  renewed  violations  of  public  law  and 
private  rights.  Useless  and  oppressive  blockades  were 
attempted  to  be  enforced  by  one  party  against  the  other, 
though  fighting  beneath  the  same  banner,  and  loudly 
professing  their  attachment  to  the  same  country.  That 
the  adventurous  citizens  of  the  American  Union,  know 
ing  little  or  nothing  of  civil  strife  and  commotion  in 
their  own  country,  should  be  unable  at  all  times  to  dis 
tinguish  between  the  party  in  power  and  their  oppo 
nents,  and  should  sometimes  disregard  the  regulations 
and  enactments  which  appeared  to  them  to  have  been 
unjustly  and  arbitrarily  established,  were  the  natural 
consequences  of  the  unsettled  character  of  the  Mexican 
government. 

For  a  long  time  the  authorities  of  the  United  States 
contented  themselves  with  remonstrating  against  these 
proceedings,  and  making  reclamations  in  behalf  of  our 
citizens.  Promises  of  redress  were  postponed  or  evaded, 
and  remonstrances  were  followed  by  new  acts  of  dep 
redation,  and  still  more  wanton  outrages.  At  length, 
a  treaty  of  amity,  commerce,  and  navigation,  was  con 
cluded  between  the  two  republics,  on  the  5th  of  April, 
1831.  The  condition  of  things,  however,  remained 
unchanged.  Although  the  provisions  of  the  treaty 
were  clear  and  positive,  "  the  course  of  seizure  and 
confiscation  of  the  property  of  our  citizens,  the  viola 
tion  of  their  persons,  and  the  insults  to  our  flag,  pur- 


24  ADDITIONAL    INJURIES. 

sueJ  by  Mexico  previous  to  that  time,  were  scarcely 
suspended  for  even  a  brief  period."*  The  situation 
of  that  country  was,  indeed,  most  deplorable  ;  the 
accumulating  burdens  beneath  which  she  struggled, 
threatened  to  blot  out  her  national  existence  ;  and  it 
was  thought  best  to  exhibit  towards  her  a  spirit  of  for 
bearance  and  magnanimity,  in  the  hope  that  corres 
ponding  feelings  would  be  produced  on  her  part,  to  bo 
followed  by  an  amicable  adjustment  of  all  difficulties 
and  disputes.  On  the  contrary,  additional  indignities 
were  heaped  upon  the  officers  and  flag  of  the  United 
States ;  applications  for  the  redress  of  grievances  were 
unavailing;  and  in  1837,  the  American  government 
was  itself  insulted  by  the  Mexican  minister  at  Wash 
ington,  f  These  circumstances  constituted,  in  the 
opinion  of  the  then  Executive,  a  sufficient  justification 
for  immediate  war ;  but  desirous,  as  he  was,  to  avoid  this 
alternative,  and  in  view  of  the  embarrassed  condition 
of  Mexico,  he  thought  one  more  opportunity  of  aton 
ing  for  the  past  should  be  given,  before  taking  redress 
into  our  own  hands.  "  To  avoid  all  misconception," 
he  said,  "  on  the  part  of  Mexico,  as  well  as  to  protect 
our  national  character  from  reproach,  this  opportunity 

*  Message  of  President  Polk,  December,  1846. 

f  It  is  but  just  to  Mexico,  to  remark,  that  one  ground  of  complaint  on 
her  part,  and  one  excuse  for  delaying  the  settlement  of  the  American 
claims  for  spoliations  and  personal  injuries,  was,  the  interference  of  our 
citizens  in  the  revolutionary  struggle  in  Texas.  This,  however,  was 
but  a  pretence  which  fortunately  presented  itself,  and  should  have  had 
little  weight  with  a  nation  disposed  herself  to  be  just.  The  authority 
of  the  general  government  was  exerted  to  prevent  any  act  of  interference 
in  contravention  of  existing  laws  or  treaties;  but  it  was  impossible  to 
place  any  restraint  upon  the  right  of  expatriation.  American  citizens 
have  always  claimed  and  exercised  this  right,  and  numbers  of  them 
fought  on  the  side  of  the  Texans,  as  they  had  previously  done  in  behalf 
of  the  Mexican  people  themselves. 


OF    CONGRESS.  25 

sh  nild  be  given  with  the  avowed  design  and  full  prep 
aration  to  take  immediate  satisfaction,  if  it  should  not 
be  obtained  on  a  repetition  of  the  demand  for  it.  To 
this  end,  I  recommend  that  an  act  be  passed  author 
izing  reprisals,  and  the  use  of  the  naval  force  of  the 
United  States,  by  the  Executive,  against  Mexico,  to 
enforce  them,  in  the  event  of  a  refusal  by  the  Mexican 
government  to  come  to  an  amicable  adjustment  of  the 
matters  in  controversy  between  us,  upon  another  de 
mand  thereof,  made  from  on  board  of  one  of  our  vessels 
of  war  on  the  coast  of  Mexico."* 

The  two  houses  of  Congress  coincided  with  the  Pres 
ident  in  the  opinion,  that  the  government  of  the  United 
States  would  be  fully  justified  in  taking  redress  into  her 
own  hands ;  but,  in  order  that  "  the  equity  and  moder 
ation"  with  which  she  had  acted  "  towards  a  sister  re 
public,"  might  be  placed  beyond  doubt  or  question,  they 
advised  "  the  experiment  of  another  demand,"  to  be 
"  made  in  the  most  solemn  form."  The  recommenda 
tion  was  carried  into  effect,  and  a  special  messenger 
dispatched  to  Mexico,  by  whom  a  final  demand  for  re 
dress  was  made,  on  the  20th  of  July,  1837.  The  reply 
of  the  Mexican  government,  made  on  the  29th  of  the 
same  month,  abounded  in  expressions  of  an  anxious  de 
sire  "  to  terminate  the  existing  difficulties  between  the 
two  governments"  upon  fair  and  honorable  terms,  in  a 
speedy  manner,  and  in  accordance  with  "  the  sacred 
obligations  imposed  by  international  law,  and  the  relig 
ious  faith  of  treaties."  It  was  also  stated,  that  the  de 
cision  made  by  the  Mexican  government  in  each  case, 
would  be  duly  communicated  to  the  government  of  the 
United  States,  through  her  minister  at  Washington. 
These  promises  and  assurances  answered  the  object 
*  Special  Meiftige  of  President  Jackson,  February,  1837. 


26  THE    JOINT    COMMISSION. 

which  Mexico  appears  to  have  had  in  view — that  of 
securing  further  delay  and  postponement. 

The  annual  message  of  President  Van  Buren,  in  De 
cember,  1837,  informed  Congress,  that  "for  not  one 
of  our  public  complaints  had  satisfaction  been  given  or 
ofTered;"  that  but  "one  case  of  personal  wrong"  had 
been  favorably  considered,  and  but  four  cases,  "  out  of 
all  those  formally  presented,  and  earnestly  pressed/'' 
had  been  decided  upon  by  the  Mexican  government. 
This  tedious  mode  of  proceeding,  especially  where  the 
claims  were  so  numerous,  and  had  so  long  been  the 
subjects  of  discussion  and  negotiation,  was  certainly 
unworthy  of  any  nation.  The  American  Executive 
recommended  the  adoption  of  prompt  and  decisive 
measures  ;  but  the  pecuniary  embaiTassments  of  the 
country,  and  a  desire  to  avoid  hostilities,  induced  Con 
gress  to  hesitate.  A  new  negotiation  was  opened  with 
Mexico,  and  on  the  llth  of  April,  1839,  a  joint  com 
mission  was  appointed  "for  the  adjustment  of  claims  of 
citizens  of  the  United  States  of  America  upon  the  gov 
ernment  of  the  Mexican  republic,"  whose  powers  were 
to  terminate  in  February,  1842.  The  commissioners 
met,  and  organized  on  the  llth  of  August,  1840.  Four 
months  were  spent  in  the  discussion  and  determination 
of  frivolous  questions  raised  by  the  Mexican  commis 
sioners  ;  and  it  was  not  until  the  month  of  December 
following,  that  the  board  commenced  the  examination 
of  the  claims.  The  powers  of  the  commission  ceased 
in  February,  1842,  before  one  half,  in  amount,  of  the 
claims  submitted  to  them  had  been  disposed  of.  The 
amount  of  claims  allowed  by  the  board,  and  by  the 
umpire  authorized  to  make  a  final  decision  in  cases  of 
disagreement  between  the  Mexican  and  American 
commissioners,  exceeded  two  millions  of  dollars.  The 


AMOJNT    OF    THE    CLAIMS.  27 

claims  pending  before  the  umpire,  who  considered  that 
his  authority  exoired  simultaneously  with  that  of  the 
joint  commission,  amounted  to  more  than  nine  hundred 
thousand  dollars ;  and  those  left  undecided,  for  want  of 
time,  amounted  to  near  three  and  a  half  millions.* 

The  sum  acknowledged  and  awarded  to  the  Ameri 
can  claimants  by  the  joint  commission  and  the  umpire, 
was  admitted  by  the  Mexican  government  to  be  an 
actual  liquidated  debt ;  and  at  her  request,  and  for  her 
convenience,  its  payment  was  postponed  by  a  conven 
tion  concluded  on  the  30th  of  January,  1843,  and  en 
tered  into,  as  therein  expressed,  "  for  the  accommoda 
tion  of  Mexico."  The  interest  due  on  this  sum,  on  the 
30.th  of  April.  ]  839,  and  three  of  the  twenty  instalments 
provided  for  by  the  terms  of  the  convention,  were  paid ; 
but  the  remaining  instalments,  commencing  with  that 
payable  in  April,  1844,  were  still  due  by  Mexico  on  the 
breaking  out  of  hostilities.  The  convention  of  Janu 
ary,  1843,  also  made  provision  for  another  convention, 
for  the  settlement  of  the  remaining  claims ;  in  accord 
ance  with  which,  a  third  convention  was  signed  at  the 
city  of  Mexico,  on  the  20th  of  November,  1843.  This 
convention  was  ratified  by  the  Senate  of  the  United 
States,  in  January,  1844,  with  two  amendments,  which 
were  both  just  and  reasonable.  Although  the  subject 
was  repeatedly  urged  upon  the  consideration  of  the 
Mexican  government,  she  did  not  decide  whether  she 
would  or  would  not  accede  to  those  amendments. 

During  the  pendency  of  these  negotiations  for  the 
settlement  and  payment  of  the  American  claims,  which 
were  characterized  on  the  part  of  Mexico,  by  delay, 
prevarication,  and  evasion  ;  and  from  the  time  when 
rec  amations  were  first  made  by  our  government,  the  re- 

*  The  amount  of  these  claims,  in  the  aggregate,  was  $0,291,004  61. 


28  TEXAS 

lations  existing  between  the  two  ccantrl'  /.  were  far  from 
be:ng  of  a  friendly  or  pacific  character.  Had  they  been 
otherwise,  it  is  not  unlikely  that  the  subjects  of  dispute 
which  afterwards  arose,  and  which  constituted  the 
immediate  cause  of  war,  would  not  have  led  to  any  in- 
cerrupaon  of  the  harmony  demanded  by  the  permanent 
welfare  and  happiness  of  both  nations.  But  this  pre- 
Jispositicn  to  hostilities  was  heightened  and  strength 
ened  by  the  negotiations  for  the  acquisition  of  Texas, 
and  assumed  a  positive  and  decided  form,  upon  its  in 
corporation  into  the  American  confederacy. 

Prior  to  the  year  1690,  the  territory  embraced  with 
in  the  limits  of  the  present  state  of  Texas,  formed  a 
nominal  part  of  the  conquest  of  Cortes.  In  that  year 
the  Spaniards  drove  out  a  French  colony,  who  had 
established  themselves  at  Matagorda,  and  made  their 
first  permanent  settlement  at  San  Francisco.  The  old 
Spanish  town  of  San  Antonio  de  Bexar,  the  original 
capital  of  the  province,  was  founded  in  1698  ;  La  Bahia, 
afterwards  called  Goliad,  in  1716  ;  Nacogdoches  in 
1732  ;  and  Victoria  at  a  still  later  date.  For  many 
years,  but  little  was  known  in  regard  to  the  soil,  cli 
mate,  or  position  of  the  country.  Its  limits  were  not 
accurately  defined,  nor  its  natural  history  correctly 
understood,  by  the  Spanish  historians  and  geographers, 
while  it  remained  under  the  dominion  of  Spain.* 
Humboldt's  great  work,  "La  Nouvelle  Espagne,"  writ 
ten  in  1803,  and  published  in  1807,  is  the  most  reliable 
authority  of  that  day;  but  the  boundaries  laid  down  in 
his  Atlas  seem  to  have  been  arbitrarily  adopted,  as  they 
do  not  follow  any  of  those  great  natural  landmarks 
which  would  probably  have  been  selected,  had  they 

*  Diccionario  Geograflco — Historico  de  Las  Indias  Occidentales  6 
America :  Madrid,  1789,  Tom.  v.  p.  109. 


HER    GEOGRAPHY.  29 

been  established  by  any  legitimate  authority.*  The 
statistical  information  furnished  by  Pike,  in  the  narra 
tive  of  his  expedition  undertaken  in  1807,  was  deemed 
very  valuable,  though  it  added  nothing  to  the  accuracy 
of  the  geographical  knowledge  of  the  country.  The 
northern  portion  was  inhabited  by  the  Camanches, 
Apaches,  Mescaleros,  and  other  predatory  tribes  of 
Indians ;  and  the  few  white  inhabitants  at  the  south 
were  careless  and  indifferent  as  to  its  cultivation,  and 
appeared  entirely  ignorant  of  its  resources  and  its  ca 
pacity  for  improvement.  It  was  quite  natural,  there 
fore,  that  the  most  erroneous  ideas  should  have  been 
entertained  with  regard  to  its  fertility  and  productive 
ness,  by  the  people  of  other  countries.  The  skirt  bor 
dering  on  the  coast  was  supposed  to  be  a  barren  waste, 
or  desert  prairie ;  and  the  interior  cold,  sterile,  and 
mountainous.  Later  historians  and  travellers  repre 
sent  the  level  strip  lying  along  the  Gulf,  as  resembling 
that  in  the  other  southern  states,  in  all  its  principal 
features  ;  as  being  well  adapted  to  the  culture  of  sugar 
and  cotton,  and  remarkably  fertile  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  numerous  creeks  and  rivers. f  North  of  the  32nd 

*  Atlas  Geographique  et  Physique,  du  Royaume  clc  La  Nouvclle  Es- 
pagne.  Paris,  1808. 

•f  The  country  lying  between  the  Nueces  and  the  Rio  G  rande  has 
been  generally  understood  to  be  a  desert  prairie,  and  is  somo.imes  called 
"  the  stupendous  desert."  Probably  there  has  been  some  confusion  in 
relation  to  the  precise  locality  of  the  great  desert  of  Muerto,  lying  west 
of  the  Guadalupe  mountains.  In  a  speech  delivered  by  Mr.  Sevier,  of 
Arkansas,  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  on  the  4th  of  February 
1818,  the  "desert"  between  the  two  rivers  is  stated  to  be,  in  fact,  "a 
large  fertile  prairie,  resembling  the  famous  blue-grass  pastures  of  Ken 
tucky."  After  traversing  119  miles,  near  three  fourths  of  the  distance 
from  Corpus  Christi  to  Point  Isabel,  General  Taylor,  in  his  letter  to  the 
adjutant  general,  dated  at  "  El  Sauce,"  March  18th,  184G,  represents 
his  command  to  be  '•  in  fine  condition  and  spirits."  The  march  waa 


30  LOUISIANA    PURCHASE. 

parallel  of  latitude,  the  climate  is  colder,  but  the  coun 
try  is  rolling  and  fertile,  or,  if  broken,  possessing  well- 
watered  valleys,  and  destined  eventually  to  be  occupied 
for  raising  stock  and  grain.* 

After  the  cession  of  Louisiana  to  France,  and  its 
purchase  by  the  government  of  the  United  States,  in 
1803,  it  was  claimed  by  the  latter,  that  the  Rio  Grande 
del  Norte  formed  the  south-western  boundary  of  the 
acquired  territory.  This  claim  was  never  acknowl 
edged  by  Spain ;  and  when  Pike  passed  through  the 
country,  on  his  way  from  the  Passo  del  Norte  to 
Nacogdoches,  he  saw  no  evidence  that  the  people 
deemed  themselves  connected  in  any  way  with  the 
Louisiana  purchase  ;  on  the  contrary,  their  habits,  cus 
toms,  and  feelings,  were  thoroughly  Spanish  and  Mexi 
can.  The  title  to  the  disputed  territory  was  repeatedly 
asserted  by  the  United  States  ;  but  all  the  claims  of  the 
latter  to  the  country  west  of  the  Sabine,  were  surren 
dered  to  Spain  in  1819.  The  acquisition  of  Louisiana 
was  fallowed  by  an  influx  of  population  from  the 
northern  states.  Enterprise  and  industry  soon  altered 
the  appearance  of  the  rich  lands  in  the  valley  of  the 
Mississippi.  Their  value  was  enhanced  to  such  an 
extent,  that  it  attracted  attention  in  Mexico,  or  New 
Spain,  as  it  was  then  called.  Texas  possessed  the 
same  natural  advantages ;  yet,  although  it  had  been 
settled  for  so  many  years,  the  population  amounted  to 
but  little  more  than  3000  in  1820  ;  they  had  made  but 
few  improvements,  and  lived  in  perpetual  dread  of  the 

undoubtedly  a  tedious  one,  as  is  always  to  be  expected  in  a  new  coun 
try,  but  the  "desert"  could  hardly  have  been  as  cheerless  and  unpleasant 
as  has  been  supposed. 

*  Pike's  Narrative — Kennedy's   Texas  - Farnham's   Observations— 
Folsora's  Mexico  in  1812. 


COLONIZATION    OF    T£XAS.  31 

Indians  prowling  about  their  towns.  On  the  17th  of 
January,  1821,  Moses  Austin,  a  citizen  of  the  United 
States,  obtained  permission  from  the  supreme  gov 
ernment  of  the  eastern  internal  provinces  of  New 
Spain,  to  settle  in  Texas  with  a  colony  of  his  country 
men  ;  and  in  December  of  the  same  year,  his  son, 
Stephen  F.  Austin,  arrived  on  the  river  Brazos  with  the 
first  settlers  from  the  United  States.  These  colonists, 
and  those  who  afterwards  joined  them,  have  often  been 
termed  "speculators  and  adventurers;"  but  the  same 
language  might  be  applied,  with  nearly,  if  not  quite  as 
much  propriety,  to  nine-tenths  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  valley  of  the  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries.  Their 
energy  and  activity  contrasted  most  favorably  with  the 
indolent  habits  and  snail-like  progress  of  the  Spanish 
inhabitants,  and  in  a  few  years  changed  the  whole  as 
pect  of  the  country. 

The  Spanish  population  of  Texas,  it  must  be  admit 
ted,  were  not,  at  first,  well  disposed  to  the  American 
settlers  ;  but  the  importance  of  strengthening  them 
selves  against  the  Indian  depredators  on  their  northern 
frontier,  and,  subsequently,  against  the  efforts  of  Spain 
to  reconquer  her  revolted  provinces,  led  to  the  adop 
tion  of  measures  designed  to  encourage  and  promote 
immigration  from  the  United  States,  and  from  other 
countries.  On  the  4th  of  January,  1823,  the  Mexican 
Congress  passed  a  national  colonization  law,  which 
was  approved  by  the  Emperor  Iturbide,  and  on  the 
18th  of  February  following,  a  decree  was  issued  au 
thorizing  Austin  to  proceed  with  his  settlement.  After 
the  abdication  and  overthrow  of  the  emperor,  this  de 
cree  was  confirmed  by  the  first  executive  council,  in 
accordance  with  the  special  directions  of  Congress. 
The  federal  constitution  of  Mexico,  similar  to  that  of 


32  JEALOUSY    OF    THE    SPANIARDS. 

the  United  States  in  all  its  essential  features,  was 
adopted  on  the  2nd  of  February,  1824,  and  on  the  7th 
of  May,  the  provinces  of  Texas  and  Coahuila  were 
united  into  one  state.  This  union  was  always  unpop 
ular,  and  was  violently  opposed  by  the  Texans,  though 
finally  acquiesced  in,  as  provision  was  made  in  the  de 
cree  for  giving  a  separate  constitution  to  Texas,  when 
ever  her  population  should  be  large  enough  to  warrant 
it.  A  second  general  colonization  law  was  passed  by 
the  Mexican  Congress,  in  August,  1824,  and  in  March, 
1825,  a  similar  enactment  received  the  assent  of  the 
Legislature  of  Coahuila  and  Texas.  •  The  most  flatter 
ing  inducements  were  held  out  to  foreigners  to  make 
settlements,  and  a  strong  current  of  immigration  was 
soon  turned  in  that  direction.  Texas  rapidly  increased 
in  population  and  influence.  The  Spanish  inhabitants 
became  jealous  of  the  increasing  prosperity  of  its  citi 
zens,  and  the  Centralistas  were  particularly  alarmed, 
lest  the  federal  doctrines  of  the  American  Union,  upon 
which  the  Mexican  constitution  was  professedly  based, 
would  acquire  a  permanent  foothold,  and  put  an  end  to 
all  their  hopes  of  effecting  a  change  in  the  government. 
This  feeling  was  increased  by  the  dispute  that  ensued 
in  relation  to  the  question  of  slavery,  which  had  been 
abolished  by  the  constitution  of  1824.*  Many  of  the 
American  settlers  had  brought  their  slaves  with  them 
from  the  United  States,  and  large  numbers  were  im 
ported  from  other  countries.  The  general  government 
endeavored  to  check  the  increase  of  slavery  ;  but  the 

*  It  is  a  singular  fact,  that  servitude  for  debt,  one  of  the  most  odious 
forms  of  slavery,  has  continued  to  exist  in  Mexico.  The  victims  of  this 
system  are  called  peons,  and  rarely,  if  ever,  regain  their  freedom.  From 
this  circumstance  it  may  fairly  be  inferred,  that  envy  and  jealousy 
prompted,  in  some  degree,  the  proceedings  in  relation  to  slavery  in  Texas, 


TRIUMPH    OF    CENTRALISM.  33 

Texans  insisted,  as  has  always  been  contended  by  the 
slave  states  in  the  American  Union,  that  it  was  a  sub 
ject  wholly  of  municipal  regulation.  An  attempt  was 
made,  however,  to  put  an  end  to  the  immigration  from 
the  United  States,  by  the  passage  of  a  law  in  the  Mex 
ican  Congress,  on  the  6th  of  April,  1830,  totally  pro 
hibiting  the  admission  of  American  settlers  into  Texas. 
Military  posts  were  established  by  the  central  govern 
ment,  and  the  civil  authorities  interrupted  in  the  dis 
charge  of  their  duties  under  the  state  laws.  These 
proceedings  were  regarded  as  being  arbitrary  and  op 
pressive  in  the  extreme,  and  calculated  to  destroy  the 
separate  sovereignty  guaranteed  to  Texas  by  the  con 
stitution  and  laws  ;  and  the  act  of  prohibition  was 
openly  evaded  and  disregarded. 

Centralism  was  temporarily  established  by  Busta- 
mente  in  1832,  and  the  Texans  took  up  arms  in  defence 
of  the  federal  constitution.  They  captured  the  garri 
sons  at  Velasco,  Anahuac,  and  Nacogdoches ;  but  hos 
tilities  were  soon  after  suspended  by  the  defeat  of  the 
centralists,  and  the  elevation  of  Santa  Anna  to  the 
presidency.  In  the  spring  of  1833,  the  citizens  of 
Texas  held  a  convention  at  San  Felipe  de  Austin,  and 
adopted  a  constitution  as  a  separate  state,  in  conformity 
with  the  decree  of  the  7th  of  May,  1824.  The  popu 
lation  was  now  almost  exclusively  American,  and  their 
habits,  feelings,  associations,  and  ideas  of  government, 
were  totally  at  variance  with  those  of  the  citizens  of 
other  Mexican  states  ;  yet  they  appear  to  have  been 
willing  to  continue  under  the  same  federal  head,  pro 
vided  there  was  no  interference  with  their  internal  af 
fairs.  Stephen  F.  Austin  was  commissioned  by  the 
Texan  convention  to  present  the  constitution  to  the 


34       OVERTHROW  OF  THE  CONFEDERATION. 

Mexican  Congress,  together  with  a  petition  for  their 
admission  into  the  Union. 

No  attention  was  paid  to  the  petition,  and  Austin 
wrote  home  to  his  friends  to  organize  a  government, 
notwithstanding  the  refusal  to  ratify  the  proceedings  of 
the  convention.  His  letter  was  intercepted,  and  he 
himself  for  a  long  time  detained  in  confinement.  The 
Texans  were  indignant ;  but  remonstrated  in  vain. 
While  matters  were  in  this  situation,  Santa  Anna  de 
clared  in  favor  of  centralism.  The  northern  provinces 
of  Mexico  refused  to  concur  in  the  establishment  of  a 
consolidated  government,  until,  one  by  one,  they  were 
forced  to  yield  to  the  dictator.  Zacatecas  and  Dur- 
ango  stood  out  nobly,  but  they,  too,  were  overcome  by 
superior  numbers.  Having  completed,  as  he  supposed, 
the  work  of  subjugation  in  the  northern  provinces, 
Santa  Anna  detached  General  Cos  into  Texas,  with 
an  armed  force,  to  secure  obedience  to  the  central  gov 
ernment,  to  compel  the  observance  of  the  act  of  1830, 
and  to  secure  the  person  of  one  Lorenzo  de  Zavala  who 
had  proposed  a  law  in  the  Mexican  Congress  levelled 
against  the  monopoly  of  property  by  the  clergy.  He 
was  also  directed  to  deprive  the  people  of  their  arms, 
in  accordance  with  a  decree  of  the  general  Congress 
made  in  1834.  The  Mexican  general  dissolved  the 
legislature  of  Cqalmila  and  Texas  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet,  and  arrested  all  the  officers  of  the  government. 

One  of  the  most  sacred  rights  secured  to  the  citi 
zens  of  the  United  States  by  their  constitution,  is  that 
of  bearing  arms ;  and  the  act  to  disarm  the  population 
of  Texas,  in  connection  with  the  overthrow  of  the  fed- 
eral  government,  very  naturally  created  a  desire  for 
producing  a  revolution.  The  standard  of  revolt  was 
at  once  raised.  On  the  28th  of  September  they  de- 


REVOLUTION    IN    TEXAS.  35 

jeated  a  Mexican  force  at  Gonzales,  on  the  Rio  Guada- 
upe.  The  fortress  at  Goliad  was  taken  in  October,  and 
a  few  days  later  the  city  of  San  Antonio  de  Bexar,  the 
head-quarters  of  General  Cos,  was  invested.  They 
were  also  successful  at  Conception,  Sepantiilan  and  San 
Patricio,  and  in  two  battles  fought  in  the  vicinity  of 
San  Antonio.  On  the  5th  of  December  the  city  itself 
was  stormed,  by  a  force  of  300  men,  under  General 
Milam,  and  after  five  days'  severe  fighting,  General 
Cos  surrendered  himself  and  1,300  Mexicans,  who  were 
afterwards  set  at  liberty,  on  their  parole  of  honor,  not 
to  oppose  in  any  way,  thereafter,  "  the  federal  constitu 
tion  of  1824." 

The  delegates  of  the  people  of  Texas  assembled  at 
San  Felipe  on  the  3rd  of  November,  1835,  for  a  "  gen 
eral  consultation,"  and  solemnly  declared  that  they  had 
taken  up  arms  in  defence  of  the  federal  constitution  ot 
1824  ;  that  Santa  xlnna  and  his  military  chieftains  had 
'*  dissolved  the  social  compact  which  existed  between 
Texas  and  the  other  members  of  the  Mexican  confed 
eracy;"  and  that  they  no  longer  felt  themselves  bound 
by  the  confederation,  but  would  be  willing  to  adhere  to 
it  if  the  provisions  of  the  constitution  were  sacredly 
regarded.  A  temporary  government  was  organized  by 
the  delegates,  and  a  convention  appointed  to  be  held 
for  the  adoption  of  a  constitution,  on  the  1st  of  March, 
1836.  The  central  government  of  Mexico  was  de 
termined  effectually  to  subdue  the  revolted  state,  and 
General  Santa  Anna  took  the  field  in  person,  with  8,000 
troops.  The  cruelties  practised  under  his  directions, 
and  in  pursuance  of  his  orders,  awakened  a  most  des 
perate  spirit  of  resistance,  and  on  the  21st  of  April, 
1836,  he  was  defeated  and  taken  prisoner  by  an  inferior 


36  CAPTURE    OF    SANTA    ANNA. 

force  under  General  Samuel  Houston,  upon  the  banks 
of  the  San  Jacinto. 

After  his  capture,  the  Mexican  commander  was  per 
mitted  to  visit  the  United  States,  though  not  yet  abso 
lutely  released  by  the  Texan  authorities  ;  but  he  was 
subsequently  allowed  to  return  to  Mexico,  upon  his  en 
tering  into  a  convention,  prescribing,  among  other 
things,  the  boundaries  of  Texas,  and  in  which  it  was 
stated  u  that  the  President  Santa  Anna,  in  his  official 
character  as  chief  of  the  Mexican  nation,  and  the  Gen 
erals  Don  Vincente  Filisola,  Don  Jose  Urrea,  Don  Jo- 
aquim  Ramires  y  Sesma,  and  Don  Antonio  Gaona,  as 
chiefs  of  armies,  do  solemnly  acknowledge,  sanction, 
and  ratify,  the  full,  entire,  and  perfect  independence  of 
the  Republic  of  Texas,  with  such  boundaries  as  are 
hereafter  set  forth  and  agreed  upon  for  the  same  :  and 
they  do  solemnly  and  respectively  pledge  themselves, 
with  all  their  personal  and  official  attributes,  to  procure, 
without  delay,  the  final  and  complete  ratification  and 
confirmation  of  this  agreement,  and  all  the  parts  thereof, 
by  the  proper  and  legitimate  government  of  Mexico, 
by  the  incorporation  of  the  same  into  a  solemn  and 
perpetual  treaty  of  amity  and  commerce,  to  be  nego 
tiated  with  that  government  at  the  city  of  Mexico,  by 
ministers  plenipotentiary  to  be  deputed  by  the  govern 
ment  of  Texas  for  this  high  purpose."  A  copy  of  this 
document  was  forwarded  to  General  Filisola,  then  at 
the  head  of  5,000  troops,  the  remains  of  the  shattered 
army  of  invasion.  He  concurred  in  its  stipulations, 
an  I  was  permitted,  in  accordance  therewith,  to  retire 
with  his  forces  west  of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  conven 
tion  also  received  the  approbation  of  other  Mexican 
officers,  though  never  ratified  by  the  government  of 
that  nation.  It  was  expressly  disallowed  by  the  Con- 


RECOGNITION    OF    INDEPENDENCE.  37 

gress  of  Mexico,  notwithstanding  it  was  concluded  by 
a  chief  magistrate  exercising  dictatorial  power,  and 
preparations  were  made,  on  several  future  occasions, 
for  the  re-invasion  and  subjugation  of  Texas.  The 
troops  of  the  Mexican  republic  entered  her  territories 
under  Urrea  in  1837,  and  under  Woll  in  1842,  but  were 
soon  compelled  to  retire.  The  distracted  state  of  the 
country  prevented  any  further  attempts  to  recover  the 
province.  The  Texan  convention  assembled  on  the 
1st  of  March,  1836,  and  on  the  following  day  made  a 
formal  and  absolute  declaration  of  independence.  A 
constitution  was  also  adopted,  and  submitted  to  the 
people  for  their  ratification.  The  government  thereby 
organized  went  into  operation,  and  continued  to  exer 
cise  its  powers  until  the  year  1845.  The  government 
of  the  United  States  promptly  recognized  the  independ 
ence  achieved  at  San  Jacinto,  and  her  example  was 
imitated  by  all  the  other  great  powers  of  the  world.* 

The  citizens  of  Texas,  having  acquired  that  in 
dependent  position  for  which  they  had  contended,  nat 
urally  turned  their  eyes  to  the  land  of  their  nativity, 
around  whose  constitution  and  laws  there  clustered  a 
thousand  cheering  and  animating  recollections.  The 
sympathies  of  a  common  origin,  and  a  common  tongue, 
were  not  obliterated.  Their  hearts  yearned  towards 
the  homes  of  their  brethren,  and  the  burial-places  of 
their  fathers.  They  longed  to  return  again  to  the  fold 
which  they  had  left,  to  be  sheltered  beneath  "  the  flag  of 
the  stars,"  and  enjoy  the  privileges  and  the  institutions 
in  which  they  claimed  an  interest,  as  the  legacy  of  the 
same  ancestry.  The  question  of  annexing  the  young 
republic  to  the  United  States  was  referred  to  the  peo- 

*  The  reader  is  referred  to  Kennedy's  Texas  for  a  detailed  account  of 
the  Revolution  in  Texas. 


38  PROPOSITION    OF    ANNEXATION. 

pie  by  the  convention  of  1836,  and  there  was  an  al 
most  united  vote  in  favor  of  the  measure.  In  compli 
ance  therewith,  a  proposition  to  that  eilect  was  made 
by  the  Texan  minister,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1837,  which 
\vas  declined  by  President  Van  Buren,  upon  the  follow 
ing  grounds  :  that  the  acknowledgment  of  the  independ 
ence  of  Texas  admitted  her  separate  existence  as  a  gov 
ernment  de  facto,  but  not  de  jure  ;  that  while  a  state  of 
war  continued  between  her  and  Mexico,  and  the  United 
States  remained  at  peace  with  the  latter,  the  question 
of  war  with  her  adversary  was  necessarily  involved  ; 
and  that  the  conditions  of  the  existing  treaty  of  amity 
and  commerce  should  be  scrupulously  observed,  so  long 
as  Mexico  performed  her  duties,  and  respected  the 
rights  of  the  United  States.* 

On  the  14th  of  June,  1838,  a  resolution  declaring 
that  it  was  desirable  to  re-annex  Texas,  whenever  it 
could  be  done  with  her  consent,  and  consistent  with 
the  treaties,  stipulations,  and  faith  of  the  United  States, 
was  laid  on  the  table  in  the  Senate,  by  a  vote  of  twenty- 
four  to  fourteen. f  The  subject  was  again  agitated  in 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1842,  and  instructions  were  given 
to  her  minister,  by  the  government  of  Texas,  for  the 
renewal  of  negotiations.  No  corresponding  action  was 
taken  by  the  American  Executive,  and  the  instructions 
were  withdrawn  in  August,  1843.  Meanwhile,  through 
-  the  interposition  ol  Great  Britain,  hostilities  had  been 
suspended  by  an  armistice  between  Mexico  and  Texas, 

*  Senate  Doc.  341,  (pp.  103,  et  seq.)  1st  session,  28th  Congress. — At 
tempts  were  made  to  purchase  Texas  from  Mexico,  during  the  adminis 
trations  of  John  Quincy  Adams,  and  General  Jackson.  Spain  was 
then,  ostensibly,  at  war  with  Mexico  ;  but  it  is  supposed  that  measures 
would  have  been  taken  to  secure  her  consent,  although  her  rights  at 
that  time  were  merely  nominal. 

1  Senate  Journal :  1st  session,  25th  Congress. 


THE    SLAVERY    QUESTION.  39 

for  the  purpose  of  treating  on  terms  of  peace.  Santa 
Anna  insisted  on  regarding  the  latter  as  "  a  depart 
ment  of  Mexico,"  which  character  had  been  applied  to 
all  the  Mexican  states,  on  the  abrogation  of  the  federal 
constitution  ;  but  the  President  of  Texas  refused  to 
surrender,  in  any  manner,  her  claims  to  be  considered 
as  a  sovereign  state  under  the  confederacy,  and  the 
negotiations  terminated  in  no  satisfactory  result. 

A  discussion  took  place  in  the  British  House  of 
Lords,  on  the  18th  day  of  August,  1843,  between  Lord 
Brougham  and  Lord  Aberdeen,  (Her  Majesty's  Prin 
cipal  Secretary  of  state  for  Foreign  Affairs,)  in  rela 
tion  to  the  subject  of  Texas  and  Texan  slavery,  which 
occasioned  considerable  agitation  and  alarm  in  the 
United  States.  It  was  insisted  that  there  was  a  de 
sign  on  foot  to  abolish  that  institution  in  Texas  ;*  and 
that,  if  ca  ried  into  effect,  the  property  invested  in 
slaves,  in  the  southern  states,  would  be  rendered  so 
insecure,  that  it  must  rapidly  depreciate  in  value.  In 
structions  were  given  to  the  American  Minister  in 
London,  to  call  the  attention  of  Lord  Aberdeen  to  the 
subject,  which  was  accordingly  done.  It  appeared  that 
the  government  of  Great  Britain  had  recommended  to 
Mexico  the  acknowledgment  of  the  independence  of 
Texas,  connected  with  the  subject  of  the  abolition  of 
slavery  ;  but,  as  the  former  had  given  no  encourage 
ment  to  the  suggestion,  nothing  had  been  done.f  Lord 
Aberdeen  also  transmitted  a  dispatch  to  the  British  , 
Minister  at  Washington,  at  a  later  date,  but  not  until  y 
after  it  was  known,  or  understood,  in  England,  that  the  \ 
project  of  annexation  had  been  again  revived,  which 

*  By  the  provisions  of  the  present  Constitution  of  Texas  slavery  can 
not  be  abolished, 
t  Letter  of  Mr.  Everett  to  Mr.  Upshur,  November  16th,  1813. 


40  FOREIGN  POLICY  OF  ENGLAND. 

was  communicated  to  the  Secretary  of  State  of  the 
United  States,  and  in  which  it  was  denied  that  the 
British  government  had  sought,  in  any  manner,  to  es 
tablish  a  dominant  influence  in  Texas,  or  to  disturb  the 
tranquillity  of  the  slave-holding  states.  The  desire  of 
Great  Britain  to  promote  the  abolition  of  slavery  in 
Texas,  was  admitted  by  her  secretary,  but  he  declared 
that  she  would  not  "  seek  to  compel,  or  unduly  con 
trol,"  either  her,  or  Mexico.* 

Much  of  the  alarm  manifested  on  this  subject  may 
have  been  unfounded,  and  the  facts  do  not  warrant  the 
conclusion,  that  the  government  of  Great  Britain  in 
tended  to  interfere  directly  in  the  matter.  Still,  it  was 
for  her  interest  to  destroy  the  competition  between  the 
slave  labor  of  the  southern  states,  and  the  free  labor 
of  her  West  Indian  colonies ;  the  Oregon  question 
threatened  to  disturb  her  peaceful  relations  with  the 
United  States,  and  several  of  her  leading  journals 
called  the  public  attention  to  the  importance  of  Texas 
as  a  cotton  growing  state,  and  predicted  her  future  in 
dependence  of  the  American  Union,  if  she  could  secure 
the  monopoly  of  that  product  in  another  quarter  ;  and 
besides,  the  foreign  policy  of  England  has  not  always 
been  of  the  most  frank  and  open  character.  The  pro 
tection  of  an  association  of  merchants  in  the  East 
Indies,  of  a  fur  company  in  North  America,  and  of  the 
opium  trade  in  China,  furnished  excuses  for  the  exten 
sion  of  her  power  and  authority  in  those  quarters  of 
the  globe  ;  and  the  philanthropic  motives  which  she 
avowed,  might  have  served  a  similar  purpose  in  regard 
to  Texas.  Private  individuals  could  have  acquired 
interests  in  that  country,  which  England  would  have 

*  Senate  Doc.  341,  (p  48),  1st  session,  28th  Congress. 


ANNEXATION    OF    TEXAS.  41 

felt  bound  to  protect,  whenever  the  disputes  and  differ 
ences  which  would  naturally  have  been  engendered 
between  the  citizens  of  the  slave  states,  and  the  inhab 
itants  of  a  free  state  on  their  borders,  had  placed  them 
in  jeopardy.  These  considerations  may  be  wholly  in 
ferential  ;  yet  they  deserve  to  be  regarded  as  of  some 
weight,  and  especially  so,  because  the  security  of  the 
institution  of  slavery  in  the  southern  states,  and  the 
prevention  of  foreign  interference  with  the  republics 
of  America,  in  connection  with  the  advantages  of  the 
acquisition,  in  a  commercial  point  of  view,  were  the 
controlling  reasons  for  the  annexation  of  Texas.* 

In  the  meantime,  a  formal  proposition  for  the  conclu 
sion  of  a  treaty  of  annexation  was  made  to  the  repub 
lic  of  Texas,  by  Mr.  Upshur,  the  American  Secretary 
of  State,  under  the  direction  of  President  Tyler,  which 
was  accepted.  Commissioners  were  appointed,  and  a 
treaty  concluded,  at  Washington,  on  the  12th  day  of 
April,  1844.  The  treaty  was  submitted  to  the  Senate 
of  the  United  States,  but  was  rejected  by  that  body  on 
the  8th  of  June,  after  a  long  and  animated  discussion. 
At  the  ensuing  session  of  Congress,  the  subject  was 
again  brought  forward,  and  joint  resolutions,  providing 
for  the  annexation,  were  adopted  on  the  1st  day  of 
March,  1845.  The  people  of  Texas,  represented  in 
convention,  signified  their  assent  to  the  terms  of  the 
resolutions  on  the  4th  of  July,  and  adopted  a  state  con 
stitution.  This  was  confirmed  by  the  American  Con 
gress,  and  Texas  finally  admitted  into  the  Union  as  a 
state,  on  the  29th  day  of  December,  1845. 

The  proceedings  of  the  government  of  the  United 
States  in  relation  to  Texas,  did  not  pass  without  notice 

*  See  diplomatic  correspondence,  Senate  Doc.  341,  1st  session,  28th 
Congress. 


PROTEST    OF    MEXICO. 

on  the  part  of  Mexico.  On  the  23rd  of  August,  1843, 
Mr.  de  Bocanegra,  the  Mexican  Minister  of  Foreign 
Relations,  officially  informed  Mr.  Waddy  Thompson, 
the  American  Minister  in  Mexico,  that  "  the  Mexican 
government  [would]  consider  equivalent  to  a  declara 
tion  of  war  against  the  Mexican  Republic,  the  passage 
of  an  act  for  the  incorporation  of  Texas  with  the  terri 
tory  of  the  United  States ;  the  certainty  of  the  fact 
being  sufficient  for  the  immediate  proclamation  of  war, 
leaving  to  the  civilized  world  to  determine  with  regard 
to  the  justice  of  the  cause  of  the  Mexican  nation,  in  a 
struggle  which  it  [had]  been  so  far  from  provoking." 
The  tone  of  a  portion  of  the  note  of  Mr.  de  Bocane 
gra  was  harsh  and  dictatorial,  and  received  a  sharp  re 
proof  from  Mr.  Thompson.  A  second  note  was  writ 
ten  by  the  former,  in  September,  which  was  more  sub 
dued  in  its  character,  and  assured  the  American  Envoy, 
that  Mexico  did  not  threaten,  still  less  provoke  or  ex 
cite  ;  but  that  she  would  "  regard  the  annexation  of 
Texas  to  the  United  States  as  a  hostile  act."*  The 
same  Mexican  official,  however,  addressed  a  circular 
letter  to  the  European  ministers  resident  in  Mexico,  on 
the  31st  of  May,  1844,  in  which  he  pronounced  the 
treaty  of  annexation,  absolutely,  "  a  declaration  of  war 
between  the  two  nations." 

The  Mexican  Minister  at  Washington,  General  Al- 
^monte,  wrote  a  note  to  Mr.  Upshur,  on  the  3rd  of  No 
vember,  1843,  protesting,  in  the  name  of  his  govern 
ment,  against  the  annexation,  and  declaring  that,  "on 
sanction  been  given  by  the  Executive  of  the  Union  to 
the  incorporation  of  Texas  into  the  United  States,  he 
[would]  consider  his  mission  ended,  seeing  that,  as  the 
Secretary  of  State  [would]  have  learned,  the  Mexican 
*  Senate  Doc.  311,  (pp.  89  et-seq.),  1st  session,  28th  Congress. 


DIPLOMATIC    INTERCOURSE    SUSPENDED.  43 

government  [was]  resolved  to  declare  war  so  soon  as  it 
[received]  information  of  such  an  act."*  Santa  Anna, 
then  President  of  Mexico,  made  a  similar  announce 
ment  on  the  12th  of  June,  1844,  and  expressed  the  de 
termination  of  Mexico  to  re-conquer  Texas.  This  an 
nouncement  was  followed  by  a  requisition  for  thirty 
thousand  men,  and  four  millions  of  dollars,  to  carry  on 
the  war.  Generals  Canalizo  and  Woll  were  ordered 
to  the  north  with  an  armed  force,  but  accomplished 
nothing  in  the  way  of  subjugation.  On  the  6th  of 
March,  1845,  General  Almonte  protested  against  the 
resolutions  of  annexation,  and  demanded  his  pass 
ports,  which  were  granted  ;  and  on  the  2nd  of  April,  the 
American  Minister  in  Mexico  was  refused  all  inter 
course  with  that  government,  upon  the  ground,  as 
stated  by  the  Mexican  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations, 
that  the  government  of  Mexico  could  "  not  continue 
diplomatic  relations  with  the  United  States,  upon  the 
presumption  that  such  relations  [were]  reconcilable 
with  the  law"  of  annexation.  President  Herrera  issued 
a  proclamation  on  the  4th  of  June,  1845,  declaring  that 
the  annexation  in  nowise  destroyed  the  rights  of  Mex 
ico,  and  that  she  would  maintain  them  by  force  of 
arms.  Two  decrees  of  the  Mexican  Congress  were 
affixed  to  this  proclamation,  providing  for  calling  out 
all  the  armed  forces  of  the  nation.f 

*  Senate  Doc.  341,  (p.  94),  1st  session,  28th  Congress. 

f  Apprehensions  of  a  war  growing  out  of  the  annexation  seem  to 
have  been  early  entertained  by  President  Tyler  and  his  cabinet.  On 
the  15th  day  of  April,  1844,  three  days  after  the  treaty  was  signed,  con 
fidential  instructions  were  issued  to  Commodore  David  Conner,  then  in 
command  of  the  Home  Squadron,  to  concentrate  his  force  in  the  Gulf, 
and  show  himself  occasionally  before  Vera  Cruz.  He  was  also  in 
structed,  if  any  armed  force  threatened  the  invasion  of  Texas,  pending 
the  ratification  of  the  treaty,  to  remonstrate  with  the  commanding  officer, 


44  POSITION    OF    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

Under  these  circumstances  the  diplomatic  intercourse 
between  the  two  republics  was  interrupted,  and  a  quasi 
state  of  war  existed  from  the  spring  of  1845,  until  the 
commencement  of  actual  hostilities. 

The  acknowledgment  of  the  independence  of  Texas, 
admitted  merely  the  fact  of  her  separate  existence  as 
a  nation  ;  but  in  annexing  her  territory,  the  American 
government  went  one  step  further.  It  was  assumed 
that  she  was  independent  of  right,  and,  therefore,  ca 
pable  of  treating,  and  being  treated  with,  like  all  other 
powers.  In  October,  1843,  Mr.  Thompson,  the  minis 
ter  in  Mexico,  was  instructed  by  Mr.  Upshur,  to  inform 
that  government,  that  the  United  States  regarded  Texas 
as  an  independent  and  sovereign  power,  and  that,  as 
she  had  "  shaken  off  the  authority  of  Mexico,  and  suc 
cessfully  resisted  her  power  for  eight  years,"  they  would 
"  not  feel  themselves  under  any  obligation  to  respect 
her  former  relation  with  that  country."*  The  hostile 
demonstrations  made  by  Mexico,  for  nine  years  after  the 
battle  of  San  Jacinto,  were  confined,  with  two  excep 
tions — when  Urrea  and  Woll  crossed  the  Rio  Grande 
but  were  forced  to  retire — to  the  clandestine  forays  of 
rancherosf  and  Indians.  Distracted  by  her  intestine 

and  assure  him,  that  the  execution  of  such  a  hostile  purpose,  in  the 
event  of  the  ratification,  would  lead  to  actual  hostilities.  Similar  or 
ders  were  issued  on  the  27th  of  April  to  Brevet  Brigadier  General  Zach- 
ary  Taylor,  of  the  1st  Infantry,  then  in  command  of  the  first  military 
department,  and  stationed  at  Fort  Jesup,  Louisiana,  to  which  post  he 
had  been  transferred  but  a  few  days  previous.  The  force  under  his 
command  was  largely  increased,  and  he  was  instructed  to  communicate, 
confidentially,  with  the  President  of  Texas. — Senate  Doc.  341,  (p.  76), 
1st  session,  28th  Congress. 

*  Senate  Doc.  341,  (p.  94),  1st  session,  28th  Congress. 

f  The  rancheros  of  Mexico  were  originally  herdsmen,  like  the  guachos 
on  the  pampas  of  Buenos  Ayres.  They  are  small  of  stature,  but  wiry 
and  muscular.  Their  usual  costume  is  quite  picturesque;  consisting 


EFFORTS    TO    NEGOTIATE.  45 

livisions,  Mexico  lacked  the  means  to  recover  the 
country,  though  her  intention  to  do  so  was  repeatedly 
declared.  The  predatory  warfare*  waged  on  her  part, 
only  served  to  demonstrate  her  utter  inability  to  subdue 
the  province,  and  an  indirect  admission  to  this  effect  was 
made  by  the  offer  in  March,  1845,  to  acknowledge  her 
independence,  upon  the  condition  that  she  would  not 
annex  herself,  or  become  subject  to  any  other  country. 
Texas,  on  the  contrary,  had  shown  that* she  was  able 
to  resist  every  effort  upon  the  land,  and  her  vessels  of 
war  had  spread  terror  and  alarm  in  the  Mexican  ports 
on  the  Gulf. 

Adopting  the  principle,  then,  that  Texas  was  actually 
and  rightfully  independent,  a  treaty  was  concluded 
under  the  administration  of  President  Tyler,  without 
consulting  the  feelings  or  wishes  of  the  Mexican  gov 
ernment.  But  a  state  of  war  nominally  existed  be 
tween  the  two  countries,  and  the  relations  of  one  party, 
in  the  event  of  the  ratification  of  the  treaty,  were  to  be 
assumed  by  the  United  States.  The  latter  was  desirous 
of  negotiating  for  the  settlement  of  all  questions  in  dif 
ference,  for  the  entire  cessation  of  hostilities,  and  the 

of  loose  trowsers,  green  jackets  slashed  with  yellow,  broad-leafed  hats, 
boots  of  untanned  leather,  and  heavy  spurs  with  long  rowels.  Most  of 
their  time  is  spent  on  horseback,  and  they  throw  the  lasso  with  such 
dexterity  as  to  catch  wild  horses  or  cattle,  or  even  to  drag  a  horseman 
from  the  saddle.  During  the  war  they  acted  as  irregular  cavalry,  and 
in  addition  to  their  ordinary  weapons,  the  lasso  and  hunting  knife,  were 
armed  with  long  curved  sabres  and  lances.  They  did  not,  however, 
prove  a  very  formidable  body.  Their  cowardice  was  so  great,  that 
they  never  ventured  to  attack  anything  like  an  equal  force,  and  the 
wild  shout  of  a  "  Texan  Ranger"  would  scatter  them  like  the  leaves  in 
a  whirlwind. 

*  Mr.  Webster,  as  Secretary  of  State,  in  1842,  instructed  the  Ameri 
can  Minister  in  Mexico  to  call  the  attention  of  that  government  to  the 
manner  in  wh  ch  the  war  against  Texas  was  prosecuted,  as  being  to 
tally  opposed  to  the  usages  of  civilized  nations. 


46     REFUSAL  OF  THE  MEXICAN  GOVERNMENT. 

establishment  of  a  boundary  line,  which  was  necessarily 
left  undetermined  during  the  existence  of  the  war. 
Immediately  after  the  conclusion  of  the  treaty,  the 
American  Charge  d' Affaires,  by  the  direction  of  Mr. 
Calhoun,  who  had  succeeded  Mr.  Upshur  as  Secretary 
of  State,  assured  the  Mexican  government,  that  it  wa.; 
the  desire  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  settle 
all  questions  between  the  two  countries,  that  might 
grow  out  of  the  treaty,  "  or  any  other  cause,  on  the 
most  liberal  and  satisfactory  terms,  including  that  of 
boundary ;"  and  that  the  boundary  of  Texas  had  been 
purposely  left  without  specification  in  the  treaty,  so  that 
it  might  be  "  an  open  question,  to  be  fairly  and  fully 
discussed  and  settled,  according  to  the  rights  of  each, 
and  the  mutual  interest  and  security  of  the  two  coun 
tries.  "*  Shortly  after  this,  an  Envoy,  (Mr.  Shannon,) 
was  sent  to  Mexico,  with  full  and  adequate  powers  to 
enter  upon  the  negotiation.  He,  also,  was  instructed  by 
Mr.  Calhoun,  on  the  10th  of  September,  1844,  "  to  re 
new  the  declaration  made  to  the  Mexican  Secretary 
by  our  Charge  d'affaires,  in  announcing  the  conclusion 
of  the  treaty,  that  the  measure  was  adopted  in  no  spirit 
of  hostility  to  Mexico,  and  that,  if  annexation  should 
be  consummated,  the  United  States  [would]  be  pre 
pared  to  adjust  all  questions  growing  out  of  it,  including 
that  of  boundary,  on  the  most  liberal  terms. "f  Assur 
ances  of  the  same  purport  were  made  to  General  Al 
monte,  after  the  passage  of  the  joint  resolutions,  by 
Mr.  Buchanan,  on  the  10th  of  May,  1845.  But  Mexico, 
unmindful  of  the  leniency  which  had  so  long  been 

*  Letter  of  Mr.  Calhoun  to  Mr.  Green— Senate  Doc.  341,  (p.  53),  1st 
session,  28th  Congress. 

f  Public  Documents  accompanying  President's  Messag ;,  2nd  session, 
28th  Conjrress. 


THE    BOUNDARIES    OF    TEXAS.  47 

exhibited  towards  her,  and  forgetting  what  courtesy,  in 
view  of  this  fact,  appeared  to  require  at  her  hands,  would 
listen  to  no  terms — would  hear  no  propositions.  All 
intercourse  was  suspended,  and  no  other  course  re-  V 
mained  for  the  government  of  the  United  States  to 
pursue,  but  that  of  asserting  her  title  to  the  territory 
acquired,  by  an  armed  occupation.  The  boundary  was 
left  "  an  open  question,"  as  stated  by  Mr.  Calhoun,  in 
the  treaty  of  1844,  and  the  joint  resolutions  of  annexa 
tion  asserted  no  claim  to  any  territory  except  that 
"rightfully  belonging"  to  Texas.  Mexico  chose  not  to 
enter  into  any  negotiations  on  the  subject  of  the  boun 
dary,  and  it  was  therefore  necessary  for  the  United 
States  to  decide  for  themselves,  and  to  act  upon  that 
decision,  until  the  matter  was  settled  by  negotiation. 

The  political  limits  of  Texas  Proper,  previous  to 
the  revolution,  "  were  the  Nueces  river  on  the  west ; 
along  the  Red  River  on  the  north  ;  the  Sabine  on  the 
east ;  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  on  the  south/'*  The  dis 
solution  of  the  Mexican  confederacy,  and  her  separa 
tion  from  the  other  states  composing  the  federal  asso 
ciation,  gave  her  no  gre/iter  extent  of  territory  than 
what  she  already  possessed ;  and  her  title  to  all  acces 
sions  made  subsequent  to  the  revolution,  must  rest  upon 
conquest  and  occupation,  or  the  assent,  express  or  im 
plied,  of  the  Mexican  government.!  The  advantages 
of  the  Rio  Grande  as  a  great  natural  military  obstacle, 

*  Letter  of  H.  M.  Morfit,  special  agent  sent  by  President  Jackson  to 
Texas. — House  of  Rep.,  Doc.  35,  2nd  session,  24th  Congress. 

f  The  claim  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  uniformly  as 
serted  from  1803  to  1819,  that  Texas  extended  to  the  Rio  Grande,  is 
sometimes  referred  to  in  support  of  the  title  to  that  river.  But  it  seems 
to  deserve  little  consideration  as  an  argument.  The  boundaries  of 
Texas  were  fixed,  with  her  consent  and  approbation,  by  the  constitution 
of  1824,  and  we  cannot  well  go  back  of  that  arrangement. 


48  LAW    OP    CONGRESS. 

were  so  apparent  to  the  Texan  officers  in  1836,  that 
in  the  convention  entered  into  with  Santa  Anna,*  it 
was  agreed  that  that  river,  from  its  mouth  to  its  source, 
should0  constitute  the  south-western  boundary  of  the 
country.     But  this  agreement,  or  convention,  was  never 
officially  confirmed  by  the  Mexican  government.     He 
had,  previous  to  his  capture,  exercised  dictatorial  pow 
ers,  and  good  faith  might  have  required  Mexico  to  ratify 
his'acts,  though  she  preferred  to  disavow  them.     Texas, 
however,  decided  to  adhere  to  the  Rio  Grande  as  the 
boundary,  and  on  the  19th  of  December  1836,  an  act  was 
passed  by  her  Congress,  establishing  that  river,  from  its 
mouth  up  its  principal  stream  to  its  source,  as  such  boun 
dary.    From  the  source  of  the  river,  the  line  on  the  north 
and  east  was  declared  to  be  "  as  defined  between  the  Uni 
ted  States  and  Spain.7'     In  compliance  with  a  call  of  the 
Senate,  pending  the  discussion  on  the  treaty  of  1844, 
President  Tyler  sent  in  a  map  of  the  country  proposed 
to  be  ceded,  upon  which  the  boundaries,  as  above  de 
scribed,  were  marked  in  red  lines.t     The  act  of  the 
Texan  Congress  was  unrepealed,  at  the  time  of  her  final 
admission  in  1845  ;  the  new  constitution  adopted,  im- 
paired  its  validity  in  no  respect,  as  it  expressly  provided 
for  continuing  all  prior  enactments  in  full  force  ;  and  on 
the  31st  day  of  December,  two  days  after  she  was  admit 
ted  as  a  state,  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  passed 
a  law  establishing  "a  collection  district  in  the  State  of 
Texas,"  and  Corpus  Christi,  west  of  the  Nueces,  was 
made  a  port  of  delivery,  for  which  a  surveyor  was 
afterwards  appointed.     At  the  opening  of  the  session, 
President  Polk  had  informed  Congress  that  the  army 
had  been  "  ordered  to  take  a  position  in  the  country 

*  See  page  36. 

t  Senate  Doc.  341,  1st  session,  28th  Congress. 


NEW    MEXICO.  .  49 

between  the  Nueces  and  the  Del  Norte,  [Rio  Grande.], 
and  to  repel  any  invasion  of  the  Texan  territory  which 
might  be  attempted  by  the  Mexican  forces."  No  mea 
sures  were  taken  to  recall  any  portion  of  the  troops  at 
this  session,  and  at  the  following  one  a  law  was  passed, 
establishing  post-offices  upon,  and  post-roads  extending 
to  the  Rio  Grande.  These  facts  show,  therefore,  that 
the  claim  originally  made  by  Texas  to  the  left  bank  of 
,he  river,  was  adopted  and  asserted  by  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  from  the  inception  of  the  project 
of  annexation,  until  and  after  the  commencement  of  the 
war,  with  the  following  qualifications : — A  willingness 
to  negotiate  upon  the  question  of  boundary  was  evinced 
by  the  terms  of  the  joint  resolutions,  which  provided  for 
.he  annexation,  subject  to  the  adjustment,  by  the  Uni 
ted  States,  "  of  all  questions  of  boundary  that  [might] 
arise  with  other  governments  ;"  and,  secondly,  the  claim 
to  any  territory  east  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  north  of 
the  ancient  limits  of  Texas,  was  tacitly,  if  not  expressly 
waived. 

The  boundary  claimed  by  Texas  embraced  a  consider 
able  portion  of  the  province  of  New  Mexico,  lying  east  of 
the  Rio  Grande,  and  containing  a  number  of  towns  and 
a  large  population.  This  province  was  first  visited  by  the 
Spaniards,  under  Vasquez  Coronado,  in  1540,  who  occu 
pied  the  country  until  1542,  when  they  voluntarily  evac 
uated  it.  They  revisited  it  again  in  1583,  and  made 
some  temporary  settlements.  The  final  subjugation  of 
the  country  was  effected  by  them,  under  their  leader 
Onate,  in  1595;  twelve  years  before  any  permanent 
settlement  had  been  made  in  North  America,  except 
by  the  Spaniards  themselves,  and  long  previous  to  Fa 
ther  Hennepin's  voyage  down  the  Mississippi.  The 
Indians  drove  the  Spaniards  away  in  1680,  but  they 


60  CLAIM    TO    THE    LOWER    RIO    GRANDE. 

returned  in  1681,  and  after  a  long  struggle  succeeded 
in  establishing  their  authority  on  a  firm  foundation. 
The  French  government  did  not  claim  any  part  of  New 
Mexico,  and  the  royal  charter  declared  that  province 
to  be  the  western  boundary  of  Louisiana.  Texas  never 
occupied  the  country,  nor  exercised  any  acts  of  sover 
eignty  there,  and  her  claim  could  only  have  been  found 
ed  upon  the  convention  made  with  Santa  Anna,  which 
was  hardly  sufficient  to  support  it.  The  government 
of  the  United  States  appears  to  have  taken  this  view  of 
the  question.  The  same  Congress  that  adopted  the  joint 
resolutions,  passed  a  law  allowing  a  drawback  on  for 
eign  merchandise  re-exported  in  the  original  packages 
to  "  Santa  Fe,  in  New  Mexico,"  one  of  the  towns  situ 
ated  east  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  capital  of  the 
province.  The  instructions  given  to  General  Kearny, 
and  the  proceedings  of  that  officer,  are  conclusive  evi 
dence  that  this  portion  of  New  Mexico  was  not  re 
garded  as  forming  a  part  of  Texas.  She  was  treated 
as  a  conquered  province,  and  President  Polk  in  his  an 
nual  message,  in  December,  1846,  referred  to  Santa  Fe 
\S  as  a  captured  town.* 

The  claim  of  Texas,  and  subsequently  of  the  United 
States,  to  the  country  lying  between  the  Nueces  and  the 

*  There  is  one  fact,  which  deserves  to  be  noticed  in  this  connec 
tion.  The  joint  resolutions  of  annexation  contained  a  proviso  relat 
ing  to  all  that  portion  of  the  territory  lying  above  the  parallel  of  30°  30' 
north  latitude ;  Texas  proper  did  not  extend  above  that  parallel ;  and 
hence  it  is  urged,  that  Congress  intended  to  claim  the  whole  country 
east  of  the  Rio  Grande.  Perhaps  a  majority  of  those  who  voted  for 
the  proviso  had  not  examined  the  question  with  reference  to  that  fact, 
and  the  line  was  intended  rather  to  apply  to  the  territory,  if  it  should 
be  obtained  by  negotiation,  than  to  confirm  a  claim  which  had  never  been 
supported  by  possession  or  occupation.  It  may  be  doubted,  whether 
Texas  herself  designed  to  insist  upon  her  title  to  any  part  of  New  Mexico, 
in  a  negotiation  for  peace.  It  was  the  lower  Rio  Grande,  from  the 


ASSERTION    OF   TITLE.  51 

.ower  Rio  Grande,  appears  to  have  been  much  better 
founded.  The  intention  to  insist  upon  that  river  as  the 
boundary,  was  asserted  in  the  convention  with  Santa 
Anna,  which,  if  it  had  no  other  effect,  operated  as  notice 
to  Mexico  of  the  extent  of  the  claim.  After  it  became 
known  that  .Mexico  would  not  ratify  the  convention, 
and  that  Urrea  was  preparing  to  invade  Texas,  General 
Rusk,  then  at  the  head  of  the  Texan  army,  ordered 
General  Felix  Huston  to  take  position,  with  a  detach 
ment,  at  Corpus  Christi ;  and  the  latter  sent  his  scouting 
parties  to  the  Rio  Grande.  At  that  time  there  were 
no  permanent  settlements  on  the  left  bank  of  the  river, 
with  the  exception  of  a  few  ranchos  opposite  Mier,  Ca- 
margo,  Reinosa,  and  Matamoras,  the  occupants  of  which 
had  been  engaged  in  herding  and  smuggling,  but  took 
refuge  on  the  west  side  of  the  Rio  Grande,  upon  the 
approach  of  Huston's  troops.  The  great  majority  of 
the  inhabitants  retired  to  the  rear  of  Rusk's  army,  in 
compliance  with  his  orders.  Urrea  crossed  the  river 
but  once,  and  soon  returned.  Although  he  had  10,000 
men  at  Matamoras,  General  Huston  held  in  subjection 
the  whole  country  to  the  Rio  Grande,  and  his  advanced 
corps  traversed  it  at  pleasure.  In  December,  1836, 
when  the  law  prescribing  the  boundaries  of  Texas 
was  passed,  she  was  in  possession  of  the  disputed  terri 
tory,  and  her  civil  and  political  jurisdiction  was  ex 
tended  over  it.  Custom-houses,  post-offices  and  post- 
roads,  and  election  precincts,  were  established  west  of 
the  Nueces.  The  county  of  San  Patricio  was  laid  out  - 
reaching  to  the  Rio  Grande.  The  public  lands  between 

Pass  to  the  Gulf,  which  she  desired  to  have  as  a  boundary;  and  Judge 
Ellis,  the  President  of  the  Texan  Convention  of  183G,  and  a  member 
of  the  Congress  of  1836-7,  has  said,  that  the  claim  covered  a  large  ex 
tent  of  territory,  in  order  that  there  might  be  room  to  yield,  if  necessary. 


62  EXTENSION    OF    JURISDICTION. 

the  two  .rivers  were  surveyed  and  sold,  and  all  the  evi 
dences  of  grants  and  transfers  of  land,  subsequent  to  the 
revolution  of  1834,  were  entered  among  the  records 
of  Texas.  Persons  holding  colony  contracts  made  by 
the  department  of  Tamaulipas,  which  was  bounded  on 
the  east  by  the  Nueces,  prior  to  the  revolution,  voted 
at  Corpus  Christi  under  the  laws  of  Texas.*  Members 
of  the  Texan  Congress  were  elected,  who  resided  on 
the  right  bank  of  the  Nueces,  several  years  previous  to 
the  annexation ;  and  that  part  of  Texas  was  also  repre 
sented  in  the  Congress  and  the  Convention  by  which 
the  joint  resolutions  of  1845  were  accepted.  The  col- 
lectoral  district  of  Aransas  was  established  by  the  first 
Congress,  and  extended  from  the  mouth  of  the  San  An 
tonio  to  the  Rio  Grande.  Boats  were  repeatedly  sent 
out  by  the  collector  to  watch  the  coast,  and  reconnoitre 
the  Laguna  Madre,  and  the  Brazos.  In  the  fall  of 
1838,  when  their  ports  were  blockaded  by  the  French 
fleet,  the  Mexicans  landed  a  cargo  of  flour  at  a  place 
about  ten  miles  west  of  the  present  town  of  Corpus 
Christi,  now  called  "  Flour  Bluffs"  from  this  circum 
stance,  for  the  purpose  of  secretly  conveying  it  across 
the  country.  The  flour  was  destroyed,  and  the  vessel 
seized  under  the  orders  of  the  collector  of  the  district, 
for  violating  the  revenue  laws  of  Texas. 

In  tl"o  spring  of  1837,  the  Mexican  rancheros  again 
ventured  across  the  Rio  Grande  to  herd  their  cattle ; 
but  they  were  immediately  attacked  by  the  Texan 
"  cow-boys,"  as  they  were  termed,  and  compelled  to 
cross  over  to  the  right  bank.  Repeated  efforts  were 
made  by  the  rancheros  to  establish  themselves  perma- 

*  The  place  of  voting  was  near  the  Nueces,  and  upwards  of  150 
miles  from  the  Rio  Grande ;  but  a  similar  state  of  things  has  frequently 
existed  in  the  western  part  of  the  United  States. 


MILITARY    ORGANIZATION    AT    LAREDO.  53 

nently,  but  the  "cow-boys,"  though  not  acting  under 
any  positive  orders  of  the  Texan  government,  resisted 
every  attempt,  and  during  the  desultory  contests  which 
took  place,  from  1837  to  1842,  drove  off  nearly  80,000 
head  of  cattle.  The  Mexican  authorities  uniformly 
discountenanced  the  establishment  of  any  permanent 
settlements  north  of  the  river,  and  the  civil  jurisdic 
tion  of  the  department  of  Tamaulipas  was  exerted  but 
rarely,  if  at  all,  in  that  part  of  its  ancient  dominions. 
After  the  defeat  of  the  federalistas,  who  revolted  against 
the  central  government  of  Mexico  in  1839,  Generals 
Anaya  and  Canales,  two  of  their  leaders,  crossed  over 
the  Rio  Grande  for  protection.  The  latter  united  his 
forces  with  those  of  Captain  Ross,  of  the  Texan  rangers, 
and  a  number  of  "  cow-boys."  They  then  crossed  the 
river,  and  drove  the  Mexican  army  into  Matamoras. 
Canales  took  shelter  in  Texas  again,  in  1840,  when  he 
was  joined  by  Colonel  Jordan,  with  near  two  hundred, 
"cow-boys."  They  crossed  the  Rio  Grande  a  second 
time,  and  penetrated  as  far  into  the  country  as  Sal- 
tillo,  where  Canales  betrayed  his  allies,  who  succeeded, 
however,  in  fighting  their  way  back  to  the  river.  Af 
ter  the  invasion  and  defeat  of  Woll  in  1842,  the  Texan 
army  drove  him  across  the  Rio  Grande  and  took  pos 
session  of  Laredo.  At  this  point  there  had  been  a 
military  organization,  previous  to  the  revolution  in 
Texas,  which  was  in  existence  when  the  army  of  the 
United  States  marched  to  the  Rio  Grande.  On  ac 
count  of  their  liability  to  be  attacked  by  the  Indians  in 
their  vicinity,  the  inhabitants  of  Laredo  were  excepted 
from  the  operation  of  the  act  disarming  the  citizens  of 
Coahuila  and  Texas ;  but  they  claimed  to  belong  to  the 
latter  whenever  they  were  visited  by  Hays  and  McCul- 
loch's  rangers,  who  frequently  crossec  over  the  coun- 


54  SETTLEMENT    AT    POINT    ISABEL. 

try  from  San  Antonio,  to  that  and  other  points  on  the 
river ;  and  Canales  called  them  Texans,  in  one  of  his 
proclamations  in  1846.  They  were,  no  doubt,  of  Mex 
ican  extraction ;  but,  although  the  authority  exercised 
over  them  by  Texas  was  somewhat  questionable,  still 
it  was  more  decided  than  that  of  Mexico.  Besides  the 
settlement  at  Laredo,  there  were  a  few  straggling  huts 
at  Point  Isabel,  near  the  Brazos  Santiago,  occupied  by 
Mexican  fishermen  and  smugglers.  During  the  diffi 
culty  with  France,  and  the  war  with  Texas,  the  goods 
imported  by  the  merchants  at  Matamoras  were  often 
landed  at  the  Brazos,  in  order  to  escape  the  notice  of 
the  enemy's  vessels  lying  off  the  mouth  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  An  agent  of  the  custom-house  at  Matamo 
ras  was  sent  down  to  the  Point,  to  collect  the  duties 
before  the  goods  were  taken  over  the  river;  and  a 
revenue  officer  was  continued  there  until  the  approach 
of  General  Taylor  with  his  army, , whose  main  duty  it 
was  to  prevent  the  smuggling  constantly  kept  up,  on 
account  of  the  neglect  of  Mexico  to  occupy  the  coun 
try.  Had  she  supposed  her  title  to  be  good,  is  it  not 
likely  that  she  would  have  taken  more  effectual  meas 
ures  to  protect  her  revenue  than  she  actually  did  ?* 

The  legal  enactments  of  the  Texas  Congress  in  re 
lation  to  the  boundary,  could  certainly  give  her  no  title 
to  the  disputed  territory,  except  as  they  were  supported 
by  the  military  and  civil  authority  which  she  exercised. 
She  did  not  fortify  the  whole  left  bank  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  nor  establish  military  posts  at  every  prominent 
point  on  the  Gulf;  but  her  ability  to  drive  the  Mexi 
cans  from  the  territory,  at  pleasure,  was  demonstrated, 
and  if  private  individuals  returned  there  and  estab- 

*  The  regular  custom-house  at  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande  was  on 
the  right  bank  of  the  river,  near  the  Gulf. 


AUTHORITY    EXERCISED    BY    TEXAS.  55 

lished  themselves,  it  would  seem  to  have  been  done 
merely  by  her  sufferance.  The  authority  exercised  by 
Texas,  in  the  valley  of  the  Nueces,  and  upon  its  west 
ern  bank,  including  the  settlement  at  Corpus  Christi, 
was  undoubted  and  undeniable.  In  the  other  part  of 
the  territory  in  dispute,  there  could  not  have  been  one 
hundred  persons  as  late  as  1844,  and  it  cannot  be  said 
with  justice,  that  the  Mexicans  then  had  any  "actual 
possession  or  fixed  habitation  east  of  the  Rio  del  Norte," 
between  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  "the  mountainous 
barriers  at  tl?-i  Pass,"*  with  the  exception  of  what  they 
might  claim  at  Laredo  and  Brazos  Santiago.  Mr. 
Donelson,  tin  American  Charge  d'Affaires,  called  the 
attention  of  the  government  of  the  United  States,  and 
of  General  Taylor,  to  the  existence  of  these  settle 
ments,  or  posts,  in  the  spring  of  1845.f  The  latter 
was  expressly  instructed,  when  he  entered  the  terri 
tory,  not  to  interfere  with  the  establishments  made  by 
Mexico,  and  to  respect  the  rights  and  property  of  pri 
vate  citizens ;  and  it  is  unnecessary  to  say,  that  his 
orders  were  faithfully  observed. 

But,  in  addition  to  these  facts,  Mexico  herself,  through 
her  agents  and  officers,  tacitly  admitted  the  claim  of 
Texas  to  the  lower  Rio  Grande,  on  several  occasions ; 
although,  as  a  general  thing,  she  made  no  distinction 
in  regard  to  any  part  of  the  country  between  that  river 
and  the  Sabine.  Her  claim  extended  to  the  whole  of 
Texas,  and  the  comparatively  unimportant  question  of 
boundary  was  merged  in  the  greater  one  of  title.  Al 
ways  insisting  upon  her  right  to  every  part  and  parcel 

*  Memoir  of  Lieut.  Emory:  Senate  Doc.  341,  (p.  56),  1st  session, 
28th  Congress. 

f  Letters  to  Mr.  Buchanan,  June  30,  and  July  11  j— to  General  Tay 
lor,  June  28th,  and  July  7. 


60  ADMISSIONS    OF    MEXICO. 

of  Texas,  whenever,  subsequent  to  the  battle  of  San 
Jacinto,  she  adopted,  either  voluntarily  or  by  compul 
sion,  a  limit  to  the  territory,  all  of  which  she  regarded 
as  having  been  forcibly  and  unjustly  wrested  from  her, 
that  limit  was  the  Rio  Grande.     The  southern  and 
western  bank  of  the  river  formed  the  outer  limit  of  her 
military  posts  and   fortifications.     When   her   armies 
crossed  it  in  force,  the  preparations  made,  the  disposi 
tions  for  the   march,  and  the  orders  of  the  officers, 
showed  that  the  movement  was  considered  one  of  in 
vasion  ;  and  when  compelled  to  retreat,  they  retired  be 
hind  it  as  to  a  place  of  refuge.     An  armistice  was  en 
tered  into  in  1843,  in  which  it  was  stipulated  that  the 
Mexicans  should  confine  themselves  to  the  right  bank 
of  the  river,  and  that  the  Texans  should  remain  on  the 
left  bank.     Tornel,  the  minister  of  war,  in  his  letter 
dated  July  7th,   instructed   General  Woll,  the   com- 
mander-in-chief  of  the  army  of  the  north,  that  hostili 
ties  against  Texas  were  "  to  be  immediately  suspended 
at  all  points  of  the  line  under  [his]  command,"  and  that 
he  must  withdraw  to  it  his  advanced  parties.*     The 
line  commanded  by  General  Woll  was  the  Rio  Grande ; 
and  in  his  proclamation  declaring  the  armistice  at  an 
end,  he  gave  notice  that  every  individual  found  one 
league    from    the    river,  on  the  east,  would  be  looked 
upon  as  favoring  "  the  usurpers  of  that  territory,"  and 
be  brought  to  trial  before  a  court-martial,  to  be  severely 
punished,  if  found  guilty.     Here,  it  seems,  the  Mexican 
general  treated  the  question  as  one  of  usurpation,  and 
admitted  that  the  territory  usurped  extended  to  the 
Rio  Grande.     Canales,  also,  issued  a  pronunciamento 
against  the  government  of  Paredes,  at  Camargo,  in 
February  1846,  in  which  he  described  himself  as  being 
*  Senate  Doc.  341,  (p.  84),  1st  session,  28th  Congress. 


AMERICAN    ADVANCE    UNOPPOSED.  57 

"  on  the  northern  frontier."*  It  is  very  questionable 
whether  he  would  have  used  this  expression,  if,  in  his 
opinion,  the  actual  frontier  was  the  Nueces,  from  150 
to  200  miles  further  north.  The  intention  of  General 
Taylor  to  advance  to  the  Rio  -Grande  was  known  long 
before  his  army  commenced  its  march  ;  reconnaissances 
of  the  different  routes  by  land  and  water,  of  Padre 
Island,  the  Laguna  Madre,  and  the  Brazos,  were  made 
early  in  February,  1846 ;  and  the  fact  that  a  forward 
movement  was  in  contemplation,  had  been  commu 
nicated  by  the  Mexican  officers  on  the  frontier  to  their 
government.  Notwithstanding  this,  no  preparations 
were  made  to  resist  the  approach  of  the  American  gen 
eral,  and  he  was  induced,  from  the  entire  absence  of 
such  preparations,  to  believe  that  he  would  encounter 
no  opposition,  f  The  situation  of  the  country  afforded 
numerous  opportunities  for  harassing  the  American 
troops  on  their  march,  and  the  passage  of  the  Arroyo 
Colorado,  if  disputed,  would  have  been  attended  with 
great  loss.  "  This  stream,"  says  General  Taylor,  "  is  a 
salt  river,  or  rather  lagoon,  nearly  one  hundred  yards 
broad,  and  so  deep  as  barely  to  be  fordable.  It  would 
have  formed  a  serious  obstruction  to  our  march,  had 
the  enemy  chosen  to  occupy  its  right  bank,  even  with 
a  small  force."J 

The  Mexican  Minister,  Pefia  y  Peiia,  in  his  confiden 
tial  interview  with  Mr.  Black,  and  in  his  note  to  that 
gentleman,  insisted  on  the  withdrawal  of  the  American 
naval  force  off  Vera  Cruz,  previous  to  the  reception  of 

*  House  of  Rep.  Executive  Doc.  196,  (p.  106),  1st  session,  29th  Con 
gress. 

f  Letters  to  the  Adjutant  General,  October  8th,  1845,  and  February 
4th  and  16th,  1846. 

t  Letter  to  the  Adjutant  General,  March  21,  184G. 


58  OCCUPATION    NOT    COMPLAINED    OF. 

a  minister,  in  order  that  his  government  might  notevea 
appear  to  act  under  an  implied  menace.  General 
Taylor  was  then  known  to  be  at  Corpus  Christi,  and  in 
Mie  actual  occupancy  of  territory  lying  west  of  the 
Nueces  ;  but  this  was  not  made  the  subject  of  com 
plaint,  nor  even  thought  worthy  of  mention.  At  no 
time  did  the  government  of  Herrera  pretend  that  the 
occupation  of  the  disputed  territory  was  one  of  the  rea 
sons  for  refusing  to  receive  Mr.  Slide!! :  neither  did 
Castillo  y  Lanzas,  the  minister  of  Paredes,  in  his  note 
communicating  the  final  determination  of  the  Mexican 
government,  allege  that  the  occupation,  or  the  contem 
plated  advance  to  the  Rio  Grande,  was  the  cause  of 
.  the  refusal.*  Paredes  once  issued  orders  to  attack  the 
American  army  early  in  March,  when  the  intentions 
of  General  Taylor  were  unknown;  and  near  the 
close  of  the  month,  when  it  was  understood  in  Mexico, 
that  he  designed  to  advance,  he  issued  a  manifesto, 
declaring  that  the  Mexican  government  would  itself 
commit  no  act  of  aggression  ;  thus  acknowledging  that 
the  United  States  had  committed  no  new  act  of  that 
character,  otherwise  it  would  certainly  have  been 
mentioned.  Mexico  undoubtedly  considered  every 
movement  for  the  establishment  of  the  authority  of  the 
United  States  as  an  act  of  hostility ;  and  in  his  procla 
mation  of  the  23rd  of  April  1846,  declaring  that  the 
war  had  been  commenced,  Paredes  referred  to  the  oc 
cupation  of  Corpus  Christi,  the  appearance  of  the  naval 
squadrons  in  the  Pacific  and  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  the 
advance  to  the  Rio  Grande,  and  the  blockade  of  the 
river,  each  and  all,  as  so  many  aggravations  of  the  orig 
inal  cause  of  offence — the  annexation  of  Texas.  That 

*  See  Diplomatic  Correspondence,  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  196 
at  session,  29th  Congress. 


EXCEPTIONS.  59 

act  was  the  principal  grievance,  and  the  others  but  so 
many  incidents.  This  idea  also  appears  to  have  been 
entertained  by  the  Mexican  commissioners,  Herrera, 
Conto,  Villamil,  and  Atristain,  who  stated  expressly,  in 
their  letter  to  Mr.  Trist,  on  the  6th  of  September,  1847, 
that  the  war  was  "  undertaken  solely  on  account  of  the 
territory  of  the  State  of  Texas."* 

Opposed  to  these  admissions,  direct  or  implied,  of  the 
Mexican  authorities,  are  the  proclamations  and  dis 
patches  issued  by  Mejia,  Ampudia,  and  Arista,  on  the 
approach  of  General  Taylor.  All  three  of  these  gene- 
erals  declared  that  the  advance  of  his  army  was  a  hos 
tile  movement;  yet  they  appeared  to  differ  with  respect 
to  the  proper  point  to  which  the  invading  forces,  as 
they  were  called,  should  be  allowed  to  extend  their 
occupation.  Mejia  announced,  through  his  represen 
tative,  that  the  passage  of  the  Arroyo  Colorado  would 
be  regarded  as  an  act  of  war  ;  Ampudia  desired  Gene 
ral  Taylor  to  retire  beyond  the  .Nueces ;  and  Arista 
insisted,  that  the  law  annexing  Texas  gave  no  right  to 
occupy  the  Rio  del  Norte,  without  attempting  to  con 
fine  the  American  army  to  any  precise  limits. f  The 
prefect  of  the  northern  district  of  Tamaulipas,  Jenes 
Cardenas,  also  issued  his  protest,  dated  at  Santa  Rita, 
on  the  23rd  of  March,  against  the  occupation  of  any 
portion  of  the  department ;  but  it  must  be  remembered 
that  the  head-quarters  of  his  prefecture  were  at  Mata- 
moras,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  he  tver  exercised  au 
thority  north  of  the  Rio  Grand  3.  Besides,  General 
Taylor  very  properly  regarded  him  as  a  mere  tool  of 

*  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  20,  (p.  9),  1st  session,  30th  Congress. 

f  See  Mejia's  proclamation,  dated  March  18th,  1846 ;  General  Tay 
lor's  letter,  March  21st;  Ampudia's  dispatch,  April  12th;  and  Arista's 
proclamation  to  the  foreigners  in  the  American  army,  April  20. 


60  PREPARATIONS    FOR    INVADING    TEXAS. 

the  military  authorities  in  Matamoras,  and  after  the 
capture  of  that  city,  he  proved  himself  to  be  as  corrupt 
as  he  was  pusillanimous.* 

The  diplomatic  relations  between  the  United  States 
and  Mexico  having  been  interrupted  by  the  act  of  the 
latter,  it  was  thought  advisable  to  prepare  for  the 
prompt  assertion  of  the  claim  of  Texas  to  the  left  bank 
of  the  Rio  Grande,  as  the  only  remaining  alternative. 
Immediately  on  the  issuing  of  the  proclamation  of  the 
President  of  Texas,  in  April  1845,  calling  a  convention, 
and  an  extra  session  of  Congress,  to  take  into  considera 
tion  the  joint  resolutions  of  annexation,  it  was  officially 
announced  by  the  government  of  Mexico  that  prepara 
tions  for  an  invasion  would  be  forthwith  made.f  Upon 
the  receipt  of  this  information,  confidential  instructions 
were  issued  from  the  War  Office  of  the  United  States, 
to  General  Taylor,  then  in  command  of  the  forces  at  Fort 
Jesup,  J  to  put  himself  in  communication,  at  once,  with 
the  authorities  of  Texas,  and  the  diplomatic  agents  of 
the  United  States  in  that  republic,  and,  after  he  should 
be  advised  that  her  convention  had  acceded  to  the 
terms  of  annexation,  to  employ  his  command  in  defend 
ing  her  territories  against  foreign  invasion,  and  Indian 
incursions.  He  was  also  instructed  to  regard  the  west- 

*  In  his  interview  with  Colonel  Twiggs,  after  the  surrender  of  Mata 
moras,  the  prefect  entirely  lost  sight  of  his  fellow  citizens,  for  whom  he 
had  previously  shown  so  much  solicitude.  Instead  of  looking  to  their 
comfort  and  well-being,  his  first  and  last  request  was,  that  he  might  be 
allowed  to  retain  his  o'  fice. 

t  Herrera  was  then  at  the  head  of  affairs,  he  having  overthrown  Santa 
Anna  in  the  fall  of  1844. 

£  General  Taylor  was  instructed  soon  after  the  passage  of  the  joint 
resolutions,  viz:  on  the  21st  of  March,  1845,  to  hold  his  troops  in  readi 
ness  to  move  into  Texas.  After  the  orders  issued  to  him  in  the  spring 
of  1844,  and  previous  to  his  entering  Texas,  his  command  was  known 
as  the  "  army  of  observation.'1 


INSTRUCTIONS    TO    GENERAL    TAYLOR.  61 

ern  frontier  of  Texas,  the  Rio  Grande,  as  the  point  of 
his  ultimate  destination ;  to  select  and  occupy,  on  or 
near  that  river,  such  a  position  as  would  best  consist 
with  the  health  of  the  troops,  and  be  best  adapted  for 
the  protection  and  defence  of  the  country ;  but  not  to 
effect  a  landing  on  the  frontier  until  the  terms  of  an 
nexation  had  been  actually  accepted.  Additional  orders 
were  issued  to  him,  at  different  times,  before  and  after 
his  arrival  in  Texas,  to  avoid  all  acts  of  aggression, 
unless  an  actual  state  of  war  should  exist ;  to  extend 
his  protection  to  the  whole  territory  east  of  the  Rio 
Grande,  but  not  to  disturb  the  Mexican  forces  at  the 
posts  in  their  possession,  if  any,  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river ;  to  take  position  with  a  portion  of  his  troops,  at 
least,  west  of  the  Nueces ;  to  call  upon  the  authorities 
of  Texas  for  what  auxiliary  forces  he  might  require, 
and,  in  his  discretion  in  case  of  emergency,  upon  the 
respective  governors  of  the  states  of  Louisiana,  Ala 
bama,  Mississippi,  Tennessee,  and  Kentucky,  for  such 
number  of  volunteers  as  he  deemed  necessary  ;  and  to 
regard  the  assembling  of  a  large  Mexican  army  on  the 
borders  of  Texas,  and  the  crossing,  or  attempting  to 
cross,  the  Rio  Grande,  with  a  considerable  force,  as  an 
invasion  of  the  United  States,  and  the  commencement 
of  hostilities.  Other  acts,  such  as  committing  depre 
dations  on  the  commerce  of  the  United  States,  by  the 
public  armed  vessels  or  privateers  of  Mexico,  were  to 
be  considered  by  him  in  the  same  light ;  and  he  was  left 
to  decide  for  himself  as  to  any  act  of  a  similar  char 
acter,  not  enumerated,  that  might  be  committed. 
Should  hostilities  commence,  he  was  instructed  to  act 
upon  the  offensive  as  far  as  his  means  would  permit.* 

*  See  the  instructions  to  General  Taylor,  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc. 
196,  (pp.  G3,  et  seq.),  1st  session,  29th  Congress. 


62  MOVEMENTS    OF    THE    ARMY. 

Simultaneously  with  the  instructions  to  General  Tay 
lor,  orders  were  issued  to  the  naval  force  in  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico,  commanded  by  Commodore  David  Conner, 
to  co-operate  with  the  army ;  and  to  the  Pacific  squad 
ron,  to  be  prepared  for  a  state  of  war,  and  act  accord 
ingly.  Officers  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  topographical 
engineers,  and  ordnance  corps,  were  directed  to  repair 
forthwith  to  the  army  destined  for  the  occupation  of 
Texas  ;  the  different  bureaus  were  employed  in  pro 
viding  the  materiel  for  active  operations  ;  and,  in  addi 
tion  to  the  ordinary  complement  of  artillery  and  other 
arms,  11,000  muskets  and  rifles  were  forwarded  to 
Texas,  for  the  use  of  the  auxiliary  forces  and  volun 
teers,  if  called  into  service,  and  subject  to  the  orders 
of  General  Taylor.  Such  was  the  alacrity  with  which 
the  preparations  for  war  were  made,  that  in  a  very  few 
weeks  one  half  of  the  disposable  force  of  the  army,  and 
all  it  was  then  thought  proper  to  withdraw  from  the  nor 
thern  frontier  and  Atlantic  coast,  on  account  of  the 
threatening  aspect  of  our  relations  with  Great  Britain, 
was  already  established  in  Texas,  or  en  routs  for  Gen 
eral  Taylor's  camp. 

With  the  promptitude  which  has  always  constituted 
a  striking  feature  in  his  military  character,  General 
Taylor*  proceeded,  without  delay,  to  carry  out  the  in 
structions  and  orders  which  he  had  received.  His 
command  was  immediately  put  in  motion.  The  terms 
of  annexation  proposed  by  the  United  States  were  duly 
accepted  by  Texas  on  the  4th  day  of  July,  1845 ;  and 

*  This  officer  entered  the  army  as  a  lieutenant  in  the  7th  Infantry, 
in  the  year  1808.  He  served  with  great  credit  in  the  war  of  1812,  and 
the  war  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes  in  1832.  Having  been  promoted  to 
the  command  of  a  regiment,  he  joined  the  army  in  Florida,  in  1836,  and 
was  brevetted  a  brigadier  general  for  his  galkmtry  and  good  conduct 
at  the  battle  of  Okee-chobee. 


THE   CAMP    AT    CORPUS    CHRISTI.  63 

on  the  7th,  her  Congress  and  Convention  requested  that 
the  army  of  the  Union,  to  which  she  now  belonged, 
might  be  employed  for  her  protection.  On  the  day  af 
ter  receiving  the  information,  which  was  to  be  the  guide 
for  his  movements,  General  Taylor  left  New  Orleans 
with  his  army,  and  arrived  at  the  inlet  of  Aransas  bay, 
on  the  28th  of  July.  The  troops  were  temporarily 
landed  on  St.  Joseph's  Island,  but  afterwards  transferred 
to  Corpus  Christi,  on  the  bay  of  that  name,  and  west 
of  the  Nueces,  where  a  permanent  camp  and  depot 
were  established.  The  debarkation  on  this  coast,  from 
the  shoalness  of  the  water,  and  the  prevalence  of  unfa 
vorable  winds,  was  not  free  from  difficulties  and  em 
barrassments,  but  they  appear  to  have  been  overcome 
without  any  serious  hinderance  or  obstruction. 

Having  succeeded  in  landing  his  army,  and  establish 
ing  it  in  a  secure  position,  General  Taylor  commenced 
a  rigid  system  of  instruction  and  discipline,  which  he 
found  to  be  necessary  in  order  to  fit  it  for  the  active 
duties  of  the  field.  Many  of  the  companies  had  been 
for  a  long  time  stationed  at  remote  posts  on  the  fron 
tiers,  and  were  wholly  unacquainted  with  the  evolu 
tions  of  the  line  ;  but,  in  a  short  time,  every  thing  was 
changed,  and  the  troops  in  the  camp  at  Corpus  Christi 
were  probably  the  best  disciplined  corps  which,  prior  to 
that  time,  had  ever  been  collected  on  the  continent. 
Nothing  was  neglected  on  the  part  of  the  commanding 
officer  of  the  "  army  of  occupation,"  to  perfect  its  disci 
pline,  and  to  increase  its  efficiency.  Every  attention 
was  paid  to  the  health  and  comfort  of  his  command; 
and  the  idea  at  all  times  uppermost  in  his  mind  appears 
to  have  been,  to  prepare  it  for  any  emergency,  and 
to  enable  it,  when  the  time  came  for  action,  to  strike 
promptly,  and  with  effect. 


64  RENEWED    EFFORTS    TO    NEGOTIATE. 

Soon  after  his  arrival  at  Corpus  Christi,  General  Tay 
lor's  army  was  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  the  rein 
forcements  which  had  been  ordered  to  join  him,  and 
early  in  the  autumn,  his  force  amounted  to  upwards  of 
4,000  men,  all  regular  troops.  In  addition,  he  mustered 
into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  several  companies 
of  Texan  rangers,  some  of  which  were  stationed  at  San 
Antonio,  and  others  at  Austin. 

In  the  meantime  the  Mexican  government  had  not 
been  idle.  The  determination  avowed  by  Herrera  to 
invade  Texas  was  not  a  mere  threat.  Efforts  were 
made  to  increase  the  army,  and  provide  the  means  for 
carrying  on  the  war.  The  embarrassed  condition  of 
the  finances  prevented  the  immediate  accomplishment 
of  the  wishes  of  the  government,  although  General 
Arista  was  ordered  from  Monterey  to  Matamoras,  in 
the  month  of  August,  with  a  force  of  1,500  men,  to  re 
inforce  the  troops  already  in  that  quarter,  then  about 
500  strong.  Later  in  the  season,  between  eight  and 
nine  thousand  men  were  assembled  at  San  Luis  Potosi, 
under  General  Paredes,  then  in  command  of  the  army 
of  the  north. 

In  the  month  of  September,  1845,  information  was 
received  from  Mexico,  which  rendered  it  probable  that 
the  government  of  that  country  would  be  willing  to  re 
store  her  former  diplomatic  relations  with  the  United 
States.  Accordingly,  Mr.  Black,  the  American  Consul 
at  the  city  of  Mexico,  was  instructed  by  Mr.  Buchanan, 
the  Secretary  of  State,  to  ascertain  whether  the  Mexi 
can  government  would  receive  an  envoy,  "  intrusted 
with  full  power  to  adjust  all  the  questions  in  dispute  be 
tween  the  two  governments ;"  and  if  the  reply  to  his 
inquiry  should  be  in  the  affirmative,  he  was  informed 
that  "such  an  envoy"  would  be  "immediately  dis- 


CONSENT    TO    RECEIVE    A    MINISTER.  65 

patched  to  Mexico."  A  confidential  interview  took 
place  between  Mr.  Black  and  Peila  y  Pena,  the  Mexi 
can  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations,  in  which  the  sub 
stance  of  the  dispatch  received  from  his  government 
was  made  known  by  the  American  Consul;  and  on  the 
13th  of  October,  he  addressed  an  official  note  to  the 
Mexican  Minister,  communicating  the  instructions  he 
had  received,  in  the  precise  terms  of  the  letter  of  Mr. 
Buchanan,  as  before  quoted.  On  the  15th  of  October, 
Pena  y  Pena  informed  Mr.  Black,  in  writing,  that  his 
government  was  "disposed  to  receive  the  commissioner 
of  the  United  States,"  who  might  come  "with  full  pow 
ers"  "  to  settle  the  present  dispute  in  a  peaceful,  reason 
able,  and  honorable  manner ;"  but  requested,  as  a  pre 
liminary  step  to  negotiation,  that  the  naval  force  in 
sight  of  Vera  Cruz  should  be  recalled.  Great  secrecy 
was  observed  by  Pefia  y  Pena  in  his  communications 
with  Mr.  Black,  and  the  guarded  language  employed  in 
his  note  shows  that  the  Mexican  government  designed, 
at  that  time,  to  lay  the  foundation  for  a  refusal  to  com 
ply  with  the  terms  of  the  proposition  which  they  pro 
fessed  to  accept,  although  it  positively  precluded  the 
idea  of  any  negotiation  except  in  relation  to  all  causes 
of  difference  between  the  two  countries.  The  offer  to 
send  a  minister  was  made  in  a  frank  and  honorable 
manner,  and  presumed  to  have  been  accepted  in  a  sim 
ilar  spirit ;  and  hence  no  notice  was  taken  of  the  appa 
rent  discrepancy  between  the  terms  of  the  proposition 
as  made  by  the  American  government,  and  as  accept 
ed  by  the  Mexican  Minister.  Herrera,  the  President 
of  Mexico,  had  always  been  regarded  as  a  firm  and 
decided  federalist,  and  was  supposed  to  be  favorable  to 
an  amicable  settlement  of  the  differences  with  the 
United  States.  Previous  to  his  elevation  o  the  Pve^i- 


66  TIMIDITY    OP    HERRERA. 

dency,  he  manifested  considerable  spirit  and  determi 
nation,  and  succeeded  in  overthrowing  Santa  Anna, 
only  after  a  long  and  desperate  struggle ;  but  the  very 
moment  he  entered  upon  the  administration  of  the  gov 
ernment,  and  when  prompt  and  vigorous  measures 
were  necessary  to  maintain  his  authority,  he  began  to 
waver  and  hesitate.  Among  his  supporters,  in  opposi 
tion  to  Santa  Anna,  was  a  small,  but  influential  faction 
of  monarchists,  headed  by  Paredes ;  and,  being  desir 
ous  of  conciliating  them,  he  doubted  the  expediency  of 
carrying  out  the  federal  doctrines  which  he  had  previ 
ously  avowed.  His  timidity  displeased  many  of  his 
warmest  friends,  and  they  became  lukewarm  in  his  sup 
port  ;  while  the  monarchists  managed  silently  to  secure 
the  control  of  the  army,  at  all  times  potential  in  Mexico, 
which  a  single  prompt  movement  on  his  part  would 
have  effectually  prevented. 

Jealousy,  suspicion,  and  distrust,  were  manifested  by 
all  classes  and  parties  in  Mexico,  at  the  time  when  the 
proposition  to  resume  her  diplomatic  relations  with  the 
United  States  was  received  and  accepted.  The  ar 
rangement,  however,  was  approved  by  the  Mexican 
Congress  in  secret  session ;  the  American  naval  force 
off  Vera  Cruz  was  withdrawn ;  every  thing  wore  a 
promising  aspect ;  and  towards  the  close  of  October, 
the  Mexican  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations  expressed 
some  anxiety  to  know  when  the  envoy  from  the  United 
States  might  be  expected.  The  American  Executive, 
immediately  upon  the  receipt  of  Mr.  Black's  dispatches, 
appointed  Mr.  John  Slidell  as  Minister  Plenipotentiary 
to  the  Government  of  Mexico,  and  gave  him  full  in 
structions  and  powers  to  settle  and  adjust  all  differences 
between  the  two  countries.*  Mr.  Slidell  arrived  at 

*  In  his  annual  message  in  December  1815,  President  Polk  stated 


ARRIVAL    OF    THE    AMERICAN    ENVOY.  67 

Vera  Cruz  on  the  30th  of  November,  and  hastened  for 
ward,  immediately,  to  the  city  of  Mexico.  At  Puebla 
he  was  met  by  Mr.  Black,  who  informed  him  that  the 
Mexican  government  were  alarmed  by  his  arrival  at 
such  an  inopportune  moment,  as  they  had  not  expected 
him  until  the  1st  of  January,  and  matters  had  not  been 
prepared  for  his  reception.  The  first  intimation  re 
ceived  by  Mr.  Black,  that  the  time  of  the  arrival  of  an 
envoy  was  deemed  of  any  importance,  was  on  the  3rd. 
of  December,  in  an  interview  with  Pena  y  Pena,  and 
he  had  hastened  from  Mexico  to  meet  Mr.  Slidell,  and 
communicate  with  him  before  he  reached  the  capital. 
It  appeared  that  the  administration  of  Herrera  had 
been  constantly  growing  weaker  and  weaker.  Instead 
of  seizing,  into  his  own  hands,  the  means  which  might 
have  enabled  him  to  control  the  turbulent  government 
over  which  he  was  placed,  he  suffered  them  to  be  used 
for  his  own  destruction.  Finesse  and  management 
were  resorted  to,  when  nothing  could  have  so  much 
strengthened  his  administration,  as  promptitude,  firm 
ness,  and  decision.  Early  in  November  he  began  to 
be  seriously  alarmed  ;  the  fidelity  of  Paredes  was  sus 
pected  ;  and  orders  were  issued  for  him  to  break  up  his 
cantonment  at  San  Luis,  and  to  scatter  the  troops  in 
different  parts  of  the  country.  Herrera  and  his  minis 
ters  were  probably  well  disposed  to  the  United  States, 
out  their  indecision  was  followed  by  its  legitimate  re 
sults  ;  and  when  Mr.  Slidell  presented  himself,  they  at 
tempted  to  bolster  up  the  tottering  administration,  by  a 
refusal  to  receive  him.  The  arrival  of  an  envoy  from 
the  United  States  was  a  matter  that  it  was  impossible 

that  he  did  not  think  it  advisable  to  recommend  any  "  ulterior  measures 
of  redress,"  in  consequence  of  the  favorable  change  in  our  relations  with 
Mexico.— See  letter  of  instructions  to  Mr.  Slidell,  November  10,  1815. 


68  REVOLUTIONARY    PROJECTS. 

to  conceal,  after  he  had  once  landed ;  the  evil  which 
might  easily  have  been  prevented,  if  the  Mexican  gov 
ernment  had  but  intimated  the  necessity  for  delay,  was 
past  all  remedy ;  and  Mr.  Slidell  concluded  to  continue 
his  journey  to  Mexico. 

The  fact  that  the  administration  of  Herrera  had 
consented  to  receive  a  minister,  was  known  long  pre 
vious  to  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Slidell,  although  the  pronun- 
ciamento  of  Paredes  against  the  government,  issued  at 
San  Luis,  did  not  appear  until  the  15th  of  December. 
For  several  weeks  before  Mr.  Slidell  reached  Mexico, 
the  monarchists  and  centralists  in  the  capital  were  very 
busily  engaged  in  preparing  the  plan  of  their  antici 
pated  movement.  An  outbreak  was  regarded  as  a 
matter  of  certainty,  unless  the  administration  took 
measures  to  prevent  it.  On  the  second  day  after  his 
arrival  in  Mexico,  Mr.  Slidell  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
Mexican  Minister,  dated  the  8th  of  December,  inform 
ing  him  of  his  arrival,  and  desiring  to  know  when  his 
credentials  would  be  received  and  himself  accredited. 
No  answer  was  returned  to  this  communication  ;  and 
in  two  private  interviews  between  Mr.  Black  and  Pena 
y  Pena,  held  on  the  8th  arid  13th  of  December,  the 
latter  exhibited  so  many  symptoms  of  a  desire  to  evade 
a  compliance  with  the  terms  of  the  proposition  which 
the  Mexican  government  had  accepted,  that  Mr.  Slidell 
wrote  a  second  note,  on  the  15th  of  the  month,  request 
ing  to  know  when  he  might  expect  a  reply  to  that  pre 
viously  written.  On  the  following  day  he  was  in- 
ibrmed  by  Pena  y  Pena,  that  there  had  been  difficul 
ties  in  regard  to  his  reception,  which  it  had  been  found 
necessary  to  submit  to  the  council  of  government  foi 
their  determination.  The  difficulties  alluded  to  were — 
that  Mr.  Slidell's  appointment  had  not  received  the 


DUPLICITY    AND    BAD    FAITH.  69 

sanction  of  Congress,  or  been  confirmed  by  the  Senate  ; 
and  that  the  Mexican  government  had  consented  to 
receive  a  commissioner  to  settle  the  question  relating 
to  Texas,  but  not  a  resident  minister.  These  objec 
tions  were  evidently  mere  pretences,  as  the  only  argu 
ment  urged  against  the  administration,  by  Paredes  and 
his  supporters,  was,  that  it  had  consented  to  receive  a 
minister,  and  listen  to  a  proposition  for  opening  new 
negotiations.  This  was  the  only  question  involved,  as 
admitted  by  Herrera  himself,  in  a  letter  written  to  Pa- 
checo,  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations,  on  the  25th  of 
\ugust,  1847.*  The  bad  faith  of  the  Mexican  admin 
istration  in  this  transaction  was  subsequently  exhibited 
ivi  a  most  unenviable  light,  by  the  publication  of  a  com 
munication  made  to  the  council  of  government  by 
Vena  y  Pena,  in  his  official  capacity,  on  the  llth  of 
December,  at  the  very  time  when  he  was  professing  so, 
much  friendship  towards  Mr.  Black  and  Mr.  Slidell, 
in  which  the  refusal  to  receive  the  minister  was  recom 
mended  in  positive  and  express  terms. f  The  delibera 
tions  of  the  council,  though  nominally  secret,  were 
matters  of  public  notoriety.  Its  members  were  well 
known  to  be  decidedly  opposed  to  the  reception,  and, 
on  the  18th  of  December,  their  dictamen  advising 
against  it  was  made  public.  Information  of  this  fact, 
and  of  the  evident  want  of  frankness  and  candor  on 
the  part  of  Herrera's  administration,  in  their  inter 
course  with  him,  was  communicated  by  Mr.  Slidell,  on 
the  same  day,  to  the  government  of  the  United  States.  J 
The  dispatch  of  Mr.  Slidell  was  received  on  the 
12th  day  of  January,  1846,  and  on  the  succeeding  day 

*  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  1,  (p.  41),  1st  session,  30th  Congress. 

f  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  196,  (p.  49),  1st  session,  29th  Congress. 

j  Ibid.  (pp.  IS,  et  seq.) 


70  GENERAL    TAYLOR    ORDERED    TO    ADVANCE 

General  Taylor  was  instructed  to  advance  and  occupy, 
with  the  troops  under  his  command,  positions  on  or 
near  the  east  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  as  soon  as  it 
could  be  conveniently  done ;  and  several  vessels  of  war 
were  ordered  to  reinforce  the  squadron  in  the  Gulf. 
He  was  also  directed  not  to  enforce  the  common  right 
to  navigate  the  river,  without  further  orders,  or  treat 
Mexico  as  an  enemy,  until  she  should  assume  that 
character ;  but  if  any  open  act  of  hostility  should  be 
committed,  he  was  not  to  act  merely  on  the  defensive, 
if  the  means  at  his  disposal  enabled  him  to  do  other 
wise.  In  every  possible  event,  he  was  required  to  pro 
tect  private  property,  and  respect  the  personal  rights 
and  religion  of  the  Mexican  people.  Texas  having 
been  duly  admitted  into  the  Confederacy,  he  was  fur 
ther  authorized  to  make  a  requisition  on  the  governor 
of  that  state,  for  such  of  its  militia  force  as  might  be 
necessary.* 

The  American  army  encamped  at  Corpus  Christi, 
during  the  pendency  of  negotiations,  had  been  con 
stantly  engaged  in  perfecting  its  discipline,  and  pre 
paring  for  the  field.  Occasional  rumors  were  heard, 
of  the  concentration  and  movement  of  he  enemy's 
forces  towards  the  frontier,  and  now  and  then  a  report 
would  reach  the  camp  that  an  invasion  was  to  be  ap 
prehended.  The  idle  stories  put  in  circulation  created 
no  uneasiness  in  the  breast  of  General  Taylor;  he 
never  distrusted  his  ability  to  maintain  his  position,  or 
to  make  a  forward  movement,  if  required  so  to  do  ;  and 
so  far  was  he  from  apprehending  any  danger,  and  so 
confident  that  he  might  rely  under  all  circumstances 
on  the  brave  men  under  his  orders,  that  he  informed 
the  adjutant  general  on  the  26th  of  August,  1845,  that 
*  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  1 90,  (pp.  77.  et  scq.)  1st  scss.,  '29th  Cong. 


THE  ORDERS  MADE  PUBLIC.  71 

he  considered  his  command  "fully  adequate  to  meet 
any  crisis  that  might  arise."  Early  in  that  month,  a 
rumor  had  reached  New  Orleans  in  regard  to  the 
march  of  troops  from  the  interior  of  Mexico,  which 
had  been  magnified  to  such  an  extent,  that  it  produced 
no  little  consternation  and  alarm.  General  Gaines, 
who  was  then  in  command  of  that  military  division, 
immediately  mustered  a  volunteer  battalion  of  artil 
lery  into  the  service  of  the  United  States,  and  sent 
them  to  reinforce  General  Taylor.  Their  arrival  pro 
duced  some  little  surprise  in  the  camp  at  Corpus  Christi, 
as  the  general  in  command  had  not  required  their  ser 
vices.  In  consideration  of  their  alacrity  in  obeying 
the  call  of  General  Gaines,  who  was  determined  not 
to  have  the  army  suffer  any  reverse  if  it  could  be 
prevented,  the  Louisiana  volunteers  were  retained 
until  the  expiration  of  the  term  allowed  by  law  for  their 
enrolment ;  and  General  Taylor  requested  that  there 
after  no  militia  force  should  be  sent  to  him  without  his 
requisition.* 

The  instructions  issued  to  General  Taylor  to  move 
forward  to  the  Rio  Grande,  were  received  on  the  4th 
of  February.  Reconnoitering  parties  were  at  once 
thrown  out,  and  examinations  made  of  the  different 
routes  to  the  river,  by  land  and  water.  The  fact  that 
he  intended  to  advance  to  the  Rio  Grande  was  com 
municated  to  some  citizens  of  Matamoras,  who  visited 
his  camp  in  Februp-y,  to  dispose  of  some  mules.  He 
stated  to  them,  that  the  movement  was  not  intended  to 
be  a  hostile  one ;  that  the  Mexicans  living  on  the  east 
side  of  the  river  would  not  be  disturbed  in  any  way : 
that  every  thing  required  for  the  use  of  the  army  would 

*  See  correspondence,  House  of  Rep.  Exec.'  Doc,  196,  1st  session, 
H>th  Congress. 


72  PREPARATIONS    FOR    THE    MARCH. 

be  purchased  at  a  fair  price  ;  and  that,  in  no  case  would 
he  go  beyond  the  Rio  Grande,  unless  hostilities  were 
commenced  by  Mexico.  Similar  sentiments  were  ex 
pressed  to  the  Custom-house  officer  at  Brazos  Santi 
ago,  by  Captain  Hardee,  the  officer  who  commanded 
the  escort  covering  the  reconnaissance  of  Padre  Island. 
The  American  troops  were  also  commanded,  in  general 
orders,  to  refrain  from  the  commission  of  any  act  of 
Hostility,  and  to  observe  the  rights  and  respect  the  re 
ligion  of  the  Mexican  people.*  Every  thing  being  in 
readiness  for  the  march,  a  depot  of  forage  and  subsist 
ence  was  thrown  forward  to  the  Santa  Gertrudes, 
about  forty  miles  from  Corpus  Christi,  on  the  28th  of 
February,  and  on  the  8th  of  March,  the  advance  brig 
ade  of  the  main  army,  consisting  of  the  cavalry  and 
Major  Ringgold's  light  artillery,  the  whole  under  the 

*  The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  order  issued  by  General  Taylor  pre 
vious  to  his  march  from  Corpus  Christi,  copies  of  which,  translated  into 
Spanish,  were  sent  in  advance,  and  distributed  in  all  the  Mexican  towns 
on  the  right  bank  of  the  river.  The  terseness  and  vigor  of  General 
Taylor's  style,  as  illustrated  in  his  dispatches  and  orders,  elicited  uni 
versal  admiration : 

"  The  army  of  occupation  of  Texas  being  now  about  to  take  a  posi 
tion  upon  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande,  under  the  orders  of  the  Ex 
ecutive  of  the  United  States,  the  general- in-chief  desires  to  express  the 
hope  that  the  movement  will  be  advantageous  to  all  concerned ;  and 
with  the  object  of  attaining  this  laudable  end,  he  has  ordered  all  under 
his  command  to  observe,  with  the  most  scrupulous  respect,  the  rights  of 
all  the  inhabitants  who  may  be  found  in  peaceful  prosecution  of  their 
respective  occupations,  as  well  on  the  left  as  on  the  right  side  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  Under  no  pretext,  nor  in  any  way,  will  any  interference  be 
allowed  with  the  civil  rights  or  religious  privileges  of  the  inhabitants ; 
out  the  utmost  respect  for  them  will  be  maintained. 

"  Whatsoever  may  be  needed  for  the  use  of  the  army  will  be  bought 
by  the  proper  purveyor,  and  paid  for  at  the  highest  prices.  The  gen- 
eral-in-chief  has  the  satisfaction  to  say  that  he  confides  in  the  patriotism 
and  discipline  of  the  army  under  his  command,  and  that  he  feels  sure 
ihat  his  orders  will  be  obeyed  with  the  utmost  exactness." 


GENERAL  TWIGGS. 


REFUSAL    TO    RECEIVE    MR.    SLIDELL  73 

command  of  Colonel  Twiggs,*  left  the  encampment. 
The  two  brigades  of  infantry  followed  in  succession,  the 
last  leaving  Corpus  Christi  on  the  1 1th.  General  Taylor 
and  staff  accompanied  the  rear  brigade.  The  steamers 
and  transports,  containing  the  provisions  and  supplies 
for  a  depot  to  be  established  at  Point  Isabel, f  the  siege 
train  and  field  battery,  together  with  a  company  of  ar 
tillery  and  the  engineer  and  ordnance  officers,  com 
manded  by  Major  Munroe,  left  Corpus  Christi  at  the 
same  time,  under  convoy  of  the  brigs  of  war  Porpoise 
and  Lawrence,  and  the  revenue  cutter  Woodbury. 

Meanwhile,  the  anticipated  revolution  had  taken 
place.  Mr.  Slidell  waited  two  days  after  the  publica 
tion  of  the  dictamen  of  the  council  of  government,  in 
the  expectation  of  receiving  a  reply  to  a  note  he  had 
addressed  to  Peria  y  Pena,  on  the  16th  of  December, 
desiring  to  be  informed  what  were  the  difficulties  in  the 
•way  of  his  reception.  Having  received  no  communi 
cation  from  the  Mexican  Minister,  he  wrote  a  second 
note  on  the  20th  instant,  to  which  a  reply  was  returned 
on  the  same  day,  communicating  the  positive  determi 
nation  of  the  Mexican  government  not  to  receive  him. 
This  decision  was  made  too  late  to  save  the  adminis 
tration.  Its  want  of  firmness  and  decision  was  so  mani 
fest,  that  the  military  in  the  capital  pronounced  in  favor 
of  the  revolutionists  on  the  29th  of  December,  and  on 

*  General  David  E.  Twiggs  entered  the  army  in  1812,  as  a  captain 
in  the  8th  Infantry,  and  served  during  the  war.  He  also  acted  under 
the  orders  of  Generals  Gaines  and  Jackson  during  the  Seminole  war, 
and  rendered  efficient  services  in  the  difficulties  with  the  Sacs  and  Foxes, 
and  the  Florida  Indians.  He  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  2nd  Dra 
goons  on  the  8th  of  July,  1830,  and  promoted  to  the  rank  of  brigadiei 
general  on  the  30th  of  June,  1846. 

•f  Point  Isabel  lies  north-east  of  the  island  of  Brazos,  on  the  opposite 
•ide  of  the  Laguna  Madre.  The  illage  at  the  Point  was  called  by  the 
Mexicans,  Froutone. 


74  OVERTHROW    OF    HERRERA. 

the  following  day  Herrera  resigned  the  presidency, 
without  making  a  single  effort  to  quell  the  outbreak. 
The  tide  had  been  turned  for  months,  and  he  lacked 
the  courage  to  stem  it  for  an  instant.  Paredes  entered 
the  city  with  his  troops,  in  triumph,  on  the  2nd  of  Jan 
uary,  and  on  the  next  day  was  chosen  provisional  Pres 
ident.  Soon  after  he  was  elected  to  the  same  office,  by 
the  Constituent  Congress.  He  had  come  into  power  for 
the  avowed  purpose  of  putting  an  end  to  all  negotia 
tions  with  the  United  States,  and  of  declaring  and  carry 
ing  on  an  offensive  war.  The  desire  to  establish  him- 
,  self  firmly  in  his  place  rendered  him  loth  to  remove 
the  army  to  a  distance,  and  no  immediate  measures  of 
hostility  were  adopted.  In  a  short  time  after  his  eleva 
tion,  the  establishment  of  a  monarchy  in  Mexico  was 
suggested  by  some  of  his  most  intimate  friends.  This 
movement  proved  to  be  unpopular,  and  prevented  his 
obtaining  the  necessary  loans  for  the  support  and  in 
crease  of  the  army.  The  condition  of  the  relations 
between  the  United  States  and  Great  Britain  also  boded 
war,  and  he  was  quite  willing  to  wait  and  see  the  for 
mer  engaged  with  a  more  powerful  antagonist,  before 
venturing  to  cope  with  her  forces  single-handed.  Mr. 
Slidell  had  retired  to  Jalapa  in  February,  to  a\vait  the 
termination  of  the  revolutionary  contest  in  Mexico.  As 
an  entirely  different  government  had  been  established, 
after  the  country  became  more  quiet,  he  addressed  a 
note,  on  the  1st  of  March,  to  the  new  Minister  of  Foreign 
Relations,  Castillo  y  Lanzas,  calling  his  attention  to  the 
subject  of  his  reception,  and  requesting  to  know  the 
views  of  the  new  administration  in  regard  to  the  ques 
tion.  He  was  informed,  in  reply,  by  the  note  of  the 
minister,  written  on  the  12th,  that  he  could  not  be  re 
ceived  as  a  resident  minister,  arid  similar  reasons  were 


GENERAL  PAREDES. 


MARCH  FROM  CORPUS  CHRISTI.  75 

given  for  the  refusal  to  those  previously  expressed  by 
Pena  y  Pena.  In  consequence  of  this  final  rejection  of 
the  offer  to  negotiate,  Mr.  Slidell  requested  the  neces 
sary  passports,  and,  in  a  few  days,  set  out  on  his  return 
to  the  United  States.*  The  Mexican  government  imme 
diately  commenced  making  preparations  for  war.  Loans 
were  obtained,  arms  and  supplies  provided  for  the  army, 
and  its  numerical  force  augmented ;  and  on  the  4th  of 
April,  positive  orders  were  issued  to  the  officers  com 
manding  on  the  northern  frontier,  to  attack  the  Ameri 
can  troops. 

The  march  of  the  American  army  from  Corpus 
Christi,  was  not  obstructed  by  the  Mexicans.  Small 
armed  parties  were  occasionally  seen  in  the  distance, 
who  disappeared  on  the  approach  of  the  advancing  col 
umns  of  General  Taylor's  force.  For  a  few  miles  from 
their  late  encampment,  the  roads  were  found  to  be  in 
good  order;  but  further  in  the  interior,  the  country 
presented  a  more  unfavorable  appearance.  It  was  for 
the  most  part  unbroken,  but  either  low  and  marshy,  or 
dry  and  sandy,  with  here  and  there  a  stretch  of  prairie 
land,  covered  with  thick  matted  grass,  and  dotted  at 
intervals  with  muskeet  bushes,  and  clumps  of  chaparral. 
The  route  was  toilsome  and  fatiguing,  yet  the  soldiers 
bore  every  hardship  without  a  murmur  or  complaint. f 
On  the  19th  of  March,  the  advanced  corps  halted  within 
three  miles  of  the  Arroyo  Colorado,  in  order  to  effect 
a  concentration  of  the  force  preparatory  to  crossing  the 
stream,  the  passage  of  which,  it  was  thought,  might  be 

*  See  Diplomatic  Correspondence,  House  of  Rep.  Doc.  196,  1st  ses 
sion,  29th  Congress. 

•f  The  distance  from  Corpus  Christi  to  Matamoras,  according  to  the 
route  pursued  by  the  American  army,  was  168  miles — to  Point  Isabel, 
160. 


76  PASSAGE    OF    THE    ARROYO    COLORADO. 

disputed.  A  reconnaissance  was  made  of  the  ford,  when 
a  party  of  rancheros  were  discovered  on  the  right  bank, 
who  signified  to  the  officer  in  command,  that  an  attempt 
to  pass  the  river  would  be  considered  an  act  of  hostility. 
General  Taylor  promptly  made  his  dispositions  to  cross 
under  fire.  A  road  was  opened  down  the  bank  of  the 
river,  and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th,  the  cavalry 
and  first  brigade  of  infantry  advanced  towards  the  ford, 
while  the  batteries  of  field  artillery  were  so  placed  as 
to  sweep  the  opposite  shore  ;  the  port-fires  were  lighted, 
and  every  preparation  made  for  action.  The  ranche 
ros  again  appeared,  and  stated  to  Captain  Mansfield, 
who  was  sent  to  communicate  with  them,  that  they  had 
positive  orders  to  fire  on  the  Americans  if  they  endeav 
ored  to  cross  the  river.  A  second  party  now  came  up, 
at  the  head  of  which  was  a  person  who  represented 
himself  to  be  the  adjutant  general  of  the  Mexican  troops, 
though  he  was  afterwards  discovered  to  be  a  private 
citizen  of  Matamoras.*  He,  too,  said  he  had  peremp 
tory  orders  to  fire  upon  the  Americans,  and  that  the 
passage  of  the  river  would  be  considered  as  a  declara 
tion  of  war.  A  proclamation  issued  by  General  Mejia, 
the  Mexican  commander  at  Matamoras,  on  the  18th 
instant,  was  also  presented  by  him,  in  which  a  similar 
announcement  was  made. 

Orders  were  now  given  by  General  Taylor  to  pro 
ceed  with  the  passage ;  and  the  enemy  notified  not  to 
obstruct  it  in  any  manner.  The  second  brigade  of 
infantry  was  formed  on  the  right,  and  the  crossing 
commenced.  Not  a  gun  was  fired,  and  the  Mexicans 
retreated  in  the  direction  of  Matamoras.  The  whole 

*  In  reply  to  a  question  put  to  him,  this  individual  admitted  that  the 
order  of  General  Taylor  announcing  the  spirit  in  which  he  proposed  to 
occupy  the  country,  had  been  received  at  Matamoras. 


ARRIVAL    AT    POINT    ISABEL.  77 

army  passed  the  river,  with  their  wagon  trams,  entirely 
unmolested,  and  pursued  their  march  towards  the  Rio 
Grande.  A  few  rancheros  were  seen  on  the  route,  but 
did  not  approach  within  hailing  distance.  On  the  morn 
ing  of  the  24th,  General  Taylor  halted  at  a  point  on  the 
road  from  Matamoras  to  Point  Isabel,  about  eighteen 
miles  from  the  former  and  ten  from  the  latter.  Gen 
eral  Worth*  was  then  ordered  to  advance  with  the  in 
fantry  brigades  on  the  Matamoras  road,  until  he  came  to 
a  suitable  position  for  an  encampment,  where  he  would 
halt  his  command,  and  await  the  return  of  General  Tay 
lor,  who  proceeded  to  Point  Isabel  with  the  dragoons, 
to  meet  the  transports  and  establish  a  depot.  Under 
standing  that  a  Mexican  force  had  taken  possession  of 
the  village  of  Frontone,  he  determined  not  to  molest 
them.  While  on  his  way  to  the  Point,  he  was  met  by 
a  civil  deputation  from  Matamoras,  who  desired  an 
interview.  They  presented  to  him  a  formal  protest 
against  the  occupation  of  the  country,  signed  by  the 
prefect  of  the  northern  district  of  Tamaulipas.  He 
had  not  time  to  make  his  reply,  when  the  buildings  at 
Frontone  were  discovered  to  be  on  fire.  Believing  that 
he  had  been  trifled  with,  and  considering  the  destruc 
tion  of  property  on  disputed  territory  as  an  open  act 
of  hostility,  he  informed  the  deputation  that  he  would 
ans\ver  them  on  his  arrival  opposite  Matamoras,  which 
he  afterwards  did. 

*  General  William  J.  Worth  joined  the  army  as  private  secretary  to 
General  Lewis,  in  1812.  He  afterwards  obtained  a  commission,  and 
acted  as  aid  to  General  Scott,  in  the  memorable  battles  of  Chippewa 
and  Niagara.  He  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the  8th  regiment  of  in 
fantry,  on  the  7th  of  July,  1S38.  The  war  with  the  Seminole  Indiana 
in  Florida  was  brought  to  a  close  through  his  instrumentality,  and  his 
services  were  rewarded  in  1842,  with  the  brevet  of  brigadier  general. 
The  additional  brevet  of  a  major  general  was  conferred  on  him  for  his 
gallant  service*  in  Mexico. 


78  THE    RIO    GRANDE. 

Colonel  Twiggs  hastened  forward  with  the  dragoons, 
to  extinguish  the  flames  and  capture  the  incendiaries. 
On  their  arrival,  they  found  but  two  or  three  inoffensive 
Mexicans  in  the  village ;  the  remainder  having  fled  at 
their  approach.  The  fire,  which  appeared  to  have  been 
the  work  of  the  port  captain,  under  the  orders  of  Gen 
eral  Garcia,  consumed  but  three  or  four  houses  before 
it  was  arrested.  On  reaching  the  Point,  General  Tay 
lor  was  gratified  to  find  that  the  steamers  and  trans 
ports  had  just  arrived  in  the  harbor.  A  depot  was 
established,  and  defences  thrown  up  for  its  protection, 
in  pursuance  of  his  directions;  he  then  set  out  to  re 
join  General  Worth,  leaving  Major  Munroe  in  com 
mand,  with  two  companies  of  artillery. 

On  coming  up  with  the  main  body  of  his  army,  Gen 
eral  Taylor  again  ordered  the  march  to  be  resumed, 
and  arrived  opposite  Matamoras,  on  the  28th  of  March, 
without  meeting  any  resistance.  Two  of  his  dragoons, 
sent  forward  from  the  advanced  guard,  were  captured  by 
the  Mexicans,  but  were  subsequently  released.  On  his 
approach  to  the  river,  great  excitement  appeared  to  be 
produced  in  the  city  of  Matamoras  ;  troops  were  moved 
to  and  fro,  and  batteries  prepared  to  command  his  posi 
tion.  Being  desirous  of  announcing,  in  due  form,  the 
object  of  his  advance  to  the  river,  and  of  affording  an 
opportunity  of  establishing  friendly  intercourse,  a  white 
flag  was  exhibited  on  the  left  bank,  under  his  orders 
A  communication  was  opened  with  the  Mexican  offi 
cers,  and  General  Worth  was  dispatched,  with  his  staff, 
across  the  river,  as  the  bearer  of  a  communication  to 
General  Mejia,  informing  him  of  the  desire  of  General 
Taylor  for  amicable  relations,  and  his  willingness  to 
leave  the  port  of  Brazos  Santiago  open  to  the  citizens 
of  Matamoras,  until  the  question  of  boundary  should 


INTERVIEW    BETWEEN    WORTH    AND    LA    VEGA.        79 

be  definitely  settled.  An  interview  with  General  Mejia 
was  refused,  but  General  Worth  was  met  on  the  right 
bank  of  the  river,  by  General  La  Vega,  who  was  at 
tended  by  the  Licenciado  Casares,  representing  the 
civil  authorities  of  Matamoras,  and  several  other  per 
sons.  The  dispatch  of  General  Taylor  was  read  to  Gen 
eral  La  Vega,  who  was  also  told  by  General  Worth, 
that  he  was  directed  to  deliver  it  to  the  commanding 
officer  at  Matamoras.  This  was  refused ;  whereupon 
General  Worth,  having  been  informed  that  the  Ameri 
can  consul  was  at  liberty,  and  in  the  exercise  of  his 
official  functions,  demanded  an  interview  with  him,  in 
ihe  name  of  his  government.  The  demand  was  not 
complied  with,  and  the  American  general  returned,  and 
reported  the  result  of  his  mission  to  General  Taylor.* 

*  The  following  extracts  from  the  minutes  of  the  interview  between 
Generals  Worth  and  La  Vega,  show  with  what  pertinacity  the  Mexi 
cans  persisted  in  maintaining  on  this  occasion,  that  there  was  no  war, 
although,  as  they  alleged,  so  many  acts  of  hostility  had  been  committed. 
(House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  196,  p.  114,  1st  session,  29th  Congress:) 

a  General  Worth.  Is  the  American  consul  in  arrest,  or  in  prison  1 — 
General  La  Vega.  No. — General  Worth.  Is  he  now  in  the  exercise  of 
his  proper  functions  1 — General  La  Vega,  (after  apparently  consulting 
with  the  Licenciado  Casares  for  a  moment)  replied  that  he  was. — Gen- 
era!  Worth.  Then,  as  an  American  officer,  in  the  name  of  my  govern 
ment  and  my  commanding  general,  I  demand  an  interview  with  the 
consul  of  my  country.  (No  reply.) — General  Worth.  Has  Mexico  de 
clared  war  against  the  United  States  1 — General  La  Vega.  No. — Gen 
eral  Worth.  Are  the  two  countries  still  at  peace  1 —  General  La  Vega 
Yes. — General  Worth.  Then  I  again  demand  an  interview  with  the 
consul  of  my  government,  in  Matamoras,  in  the  presence,  of  course,  of 
these  gentlemen,  or  any  other  that  the  commanding  general  in  Mata 
moras  may  be  pleased  to  designate. 

"  General  La  Vega  reiterated  that  the  consul  was  in  the  proper  exer 
cise  of  his  functions  ;  that  he  was  not  in  arrest,  nor  were  any  other 
Americans  in  arrest  in  Matamoras ;  that  he  would  submit  the  demand 
to  General  Mejia,  adding,  that  he  thought  there  would  be  great  diffi 
culty. 


60  TIIE    AMERICAN    ENCAMPMENT. 

The  Mexicans  still  persisting  in  keeping  up  a  hostile  at 
titude,  a  position  was  selected  for  a  permanent  encamp 
ment,  and  the  American  flag  planted  for  the  first  time 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande. 

The  construction  of  defensive  works  was  immedi 
ately  commenced  by  General  Taylor,  in  imitation  of 
the  example  of  the  Mexicans,  who  had  already  erected 
several  batteries  and  redoubts.  Fifteen  hundred  soldiers 
were  constantly  employed  on  fatigue  duty,  working  day 
and  night  with  commendable  patience  and  perseverance. 
Intrenchrnents  were  thrown  up,  and  a  fort  erected,  with 
six  bastions,  large  enough  to  accommodate  a  force  of 
two  thousand  men.  Batteries  were  also  completed, 
and  mounted  with  heavy  guns  bearing  directly  upon  the 
public  square  of  Matamoras.  The  defences  of  Point 
Isabel  were,  in  like  manner,  strengthened  as  rapidly  as 
circumstances  would  permit. 

Notwithstanding  these  hostile  preparations,  no  actual 
collision  with  the  enemy's  forces  took  place  for  several 
days,  and  the  impression  that  there  would  be  no  war 
became  generally  entertained.  In  this  belief,  General 

"  This  demand  was  repeatedly  made  in  the  most  emphatic  manner,  and 
a  reply  requested  ;  General  La  Vega  stating  the  consul  continued  in  the 
exercise  of  his  functions,  and  that  Gen.  Worth's  demand  would  be  sub 
mitted  to  Gen.  Mejia.  ***** 

"  No  reply  having  been  received  from  Gen.  La  Vega  relative  to  the 
demand  for  an  interview  with  the  American  consul,  the  question  was 
again  introduced  by  Gen.  Worth,  and  the  demand  for  the  last  time  re 
iterated. 

"  Gen.  La  Vega  then  promptly  refused  to  comply  with  the  demand, 
replying,  without  waiting  for  the  interpretation,  '  No,  no.' 

"  General  Worth.  I  have  now  to  state  that  a  refusal  of  my  demand 
to  see  the  American  consul  is  regarded  as  a  belligerent  act ;  and,  in  con 
clusion,  I  have  to  add,  the  commanding  general  of  the  American  forces 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  river  will  regard  the  passage  of  any  armed  party 
of  Mexicans  in  hostile  array  across  the  Rio  Grande  as  an  act  of  war, 
and  pursue  it  accordingly." 


SCENE    ON    THE    RIO    GRANDE.  81 

Worth  expressed  a  desire  to  be  separated  from  his  com 
mand,  on  account  of  some  difficulty  in  relation  to  his 
brevet  rank.  This  was  done  on  the  7th  of  April,  and 
he  soon  after  returned  home,  with  the  intention  of  re 
signing  his  commission.* 

Aside  from  the  presence  of  the  two  armies,  the  scene 
presented  at  this  time,  on  the  banks  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
was  of  a  peaceful,  yet  imposing  character.  On  the  op 
posite  shore  from  the  American  encampment  was  the 
city  of  Matamoras,  with  its  towering  cathedral,  its  neat 
houses,  and  pretty  gardens  ;  on  the  verge  of  the  town 
were  the  small  reed  and  thatched  habitations  of  the 
humbler  classes;  and  in  the  distance,  the  cultivated 
fields  of  cotton  and  cane,  and  smiling  haciendas  im- 
bosomed  amid  groves  of  ebony  and  lignum-vitas.  At 
sunset  the  whole  population  of  the  city  crowded  down 
to  the  river's  side,  to  hear  the  bands  belonging  to  the 
American  regiments  discourse  "  the  eloquent  music" 
whose  rich  notes  were  borne  to  their  ears  mingled  with 
the  low  murmuring  of  the  Bravo ;  and,  in  default  of 
more  chivalric  enterprises,  it  is  said  that  many  a  love- 
passage  took  place  between  our  young  officers  and  the 
gay  Mexican  senoritas.  But  this  quiet  was  only  the 
hush  that  preceded  the  tempest ;  and  the  angry  pas 
sions  smothered  for  the  moment,  soon  burst  forth,  like 
the  wrath  of  Jove,  with  redoubled  vengeance. 

On  the  llth  of  April,  General  Ampudia  arrived  from 
Monte-ey,  and  assumed  the  command  at  Matamoras. 
He  was  accompanied  by  200  cavalry,  and  a  force  of 

*  General  Worth  insisted  that  his  brevet  entitled  him  to  precedence 
over  Colonel  Twiggs,  whose  commission  as  colonel  was  of  an  older  date 
than  his  own.  In  conformity  with  the  rule  adopted  by  the  War  Depart 
ment,  General  Taylor  decided  that  brevet  rank  gave  no  command,  ex 
cept  where  there  was  a  regular  assignment  to  duty  according  to  such 
brevet  rank. 


82  DISPATCH    OF    AMPUDIA. 

2,200  men  followed  close  in  his  rear.  When  passing 
through  Reinosa,  he  ordered  all  Americans  to  leave 
that  place  within  twenty-four  hours,  and  to  retire  to 
Victoria.  A  similar  order  was  issued  on  his  arrival  at 
Matamoras,  where  his  entrance  was  hailed  by  the  ring 
ing  of  hells,  the  firing  of  cannon,  and  other  demonstra 
tions  of  joy.  His  assumption  of  the  command  was  un 
derstood  to  be  the  signal  for  the  commencement  of 
hostilities  ;  a  rigid  non-intercourse  was  established  with 
the  Americans  on  the  left  bank ;  and  the  Mexican 
pickets  were  extended  above  and  below  the  city  for 
several  miles.  Copies  of  a  proclamation  issued  by  him, 
on  the  road  to  Matamoras,  addressed  to  the  soldiers  of 
foreign  birth  in  the  American  army,  and  artfully  ap 
pealing  to  their  cupidity  to  induce  them  to  desert,  were 
secretly  introduced  into  General  Taylor's  camp.  A 
number  of  desertions  took  place,  but  the  prompt  meas 
ures  taken  by  the  American  commander  soon  put  an 
end  to  them.  Some  of  those  who  attempted  to  escape 
were  drowned  in  the  river,  and  others  were  fired  upon 
by  the  guards.  Those  who  reached  the  Mexican  lines 
were  loaded  with  favors,  and  every  mark  of  distinction 
conferred  upon  them,  almost  without  solicitation, 

A  dispatch  was  received  by  General  Taylor  from 
Ampudia,  on  the  morning  of  the  12th  of  April,  formally 
requiring  him  to  break  up  his  camp  "in  the  peremptory 
term  of  twenty-four  hours,"  and  retire  to  the  other 
bank  of  the  Nueces,  pending  the  negotiations  for  the 
settlement  of  the  Texas  question  ;*  and  advising  him, 
"that  arms,  and  arms  alone,  must  decide "  between 
them,  if  he  insisted  on  remaining  in  his  position,  and 
that  the  war  to  be  thus  commenced,  would  be  conducted 

*  The  final  refusal  of  the  Mexican  government  to  receive  Mr.  Slidell, 
though  anticipated  at  Matamoras,  was  not  yet  positively  known. 


fiEPLY    OP    GENERAL    TAYLOH.  83 

on  his  part,  "  conformably  to  the  principles  established 
by  the  most  civilized  nations."  General  Taylor  replied 
on  the  same  day,  declining  to  enter  upon  any  discus 
sion  in  regard  to  the  international  question,  but  remind 
ing  General  Ampudia  that,  although  Mexico  had  hith 
erto  refused  to  hear  any  proposition  for  negotiation,  he 
had  been  instructed,  in  occupying  the  country,  to  ab 
stain  from  all  acts  of  hostility,  which  instructions  had 
so  far  been  carefully  observed.  He  added,  however, 
that  he  should  not  avoid  the  alternative  presented  by 
the  Mexican  commander,  and  would  leave  the  respon 
sibility  with  those  who  rashly  commenced  hostilities.* 
General  Ampudia  having  thus  announced  the  existence 
of  a  state  of  war,  General  Taylor  prepared  himself  for 

*  "  I  need  hardly  advise  you  that,  charged  as  I  am,  in  only  a  military 
capacity,  with  the  performance  of  specific  duties,  I  cannot  enter  into  a 
discussion  of  the  international  question  involved  in  the  advance  of  the 
American  army.  You  will,  however,  permit  me  to  say,  that  the  govern 
ment  of  the  United  States  has  constantly  sought  a  settlement,  by  nego 
tiation,  of  the  question  of  boundary;  that  an  envoy  was  dispatched  to 
Mexico  for  that  purpose,  and  that  up  to  the  most  recent  dates  said  en 
voy  had  not  been  received  by  the  actual  Mexican  government,  if,  indeed, 
he  has  not  received  his  passports  and  left  the  republic.  In  the  mean 
time,  I  have  been  ordered  to  occupy  the  country  up  to  the  left  bank  of 
the  Rio  Grande,  until  the  boundary  shall  be  definitely  settled.  In  carry 
ing  out  these  instructions,  I  have  carefully  abstained  from  all  acts  of 
hostility,  obeying,  in  this  regard,  not  only  the  letter  of  my  instructions, 
but  the  plain  dictates  of  justice  and  humanity. 

"  The  instructions  under  which  I  am  acting  will  not  permit  me  to  re 
trograde  from  the  position  I  now  occupy.  In  view  of  the  relations  be 
tween  our  respective  governments,  and  the  individual  suffering  which 
may  result,  I  regret  the  alternative  which  you  offer ;  but,  at  the  same 
time,  wish  it  understood  that  I  shall  by  no  means  avoid  such  alternative, 
leaving  the  responsibility  with  those  who  rashly  commence  hostilities. 
In  conclusion,  you  will  permit  me  to  give  the  assurance,  that  on  my 
part,  the  laws  and  customs  of  war  among  civilized  nations  shall  be  care- 
full"  observed." — Extract  from  General  Taylor's  reply  to  Ampudia, 
April  12th,  1846.. 


84  MURDER    OF    COLONEL    CROSS. 

the  consequences,  intending,  as  he  had  previously  done, 
to  act  strictly  on  the  defence.  Instructions  were  given 
to  the  naval  commander  at  Brazos  Santiago,  on  the 
13th  instant,  to  blockade  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
in  order  to  stop  all  supplies  intended  for  Matamoras. 
The  second  regiment  of  infantry  was  removed  out  of 
reach  of  the  shot  from  the  Mexican  batteries,  and  the 
field-work  occupied,  by  the  third  regiment,  and  two 
batteries  of  light  artillery.  Strong  guards  of  foot  and 
mounted  men  were  stationed  along  the  margin  of  the 
river,  and  every  precaution  adopted  to  prevent  sur 
prise.  An  additional  force  was  ordered  to  Point  Isabel, 
and  the  fort  well  supplied  with  artillery  and  ammuni 
tion. 

The  peremptory  term  specified  by  Ampudia  expired 
without  producing  any  act  of  hostility  on  his  part,  and 
every  thing  continued  quiet  for  several  days.  While 
matters  were  in  this  condition,  the  American  army  was 
called  upon  to  lament  the  loss  of  Colonel  Trueman 
Cross,  Deputy  Quartermaster-general,  and  a  most 
estimable  officer.  He  was  accustomed  to  take  daily 
exercise  on  horseback,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  10th 
of  April  rode  out  as  usual.  It  was  supposed  for  a  long 
time  that  he  had  been  taken  prisoner,  and  conveyed 
across  the  river,  but  his  body  was  subsequently  discov 
ered  in  a  dense  chaparral,  some  miles  from  the  fort,  in 
a  horribly  mutilated  state.  He  was  only  recognized 
by  his  uniform,  and  was  undoubtedly  murdered  by  the 
lawless  banditti  who  hung  around  the  Mexican  camp, 
but  acted  under  no  orders  except  those  given  by  their 
own  chosen  leaders. 

On  the  17th  instant,  and  previous  to  the  discovery  of 
the  body  of  Colonel  Cross,  Lieutenants  Porter  and  Dob 
bins,  each  with  a  party  of  twelve  men,  were  sent  out 


REMONSTRANCE    AGAINST    THE    BLOCKADE.  85 

to  obtain  intelligence  in  regard  to  the  missing  officer. 
The  two  detachments  took  different  directions.  On  the 
second  day  out,  Lieutenant  Porter  met  a  party  of 
Mexicans,  about  eighteen  miles  from  General  Taylor's 
camp,  and  one  third  of  that  distance  north  of  the  river, 
numbering  near  one  hundred  and  fifty,  one  of  whom 
snapped  his  piece  at  him.  He  instantly  discharged 
both  barrels  of  his  gun,  and  the  Mexicans  disappeared 
in  the  thicket.  Their  camp,  with  their  horses  and 
equipage,  were  captured.  On  their  return,  the  Ameri 
cans  encountered  another  body  of  Mexicans,  who  had 
probably  been  joined  by  those  previously  seen.  It  was 
nearly  nightfall,  and  raining  heavily.  They  were  in 
stantly  fired  upon,  but  were  unable  to  return  it  on  ac 
count  of  their  ammunition  being  damaged.  Lieutenant 
Porter  and  one  of  iiis  men  were  killed,  and  the  remain 
der  of  the  party  returned  to  camp. 

Two  vessels  bound  to  Matamoras  with  supplies  for 
the  army  were  warned  off  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
on  the  17th  of  April,  by  the  blockading  force.  On  re 
ceiving  information  of  the  fact,  Ampudia  remonstrated 
against  the  blockade.  His  letter  to  General  Taylor 
was  dated  on  the  22nd  instant,  and  on  the  same  day,  a 
reply  was  made,  in  the  usual  sententious  and  impressive 
style  of  the  American  commander.  He  briefly  re 
viewed  his  proceedings  since  he  had  left  Corpus  Christ! 
with  the  army  under  his  orders  ;  pointing  out  the  nu 
merous  evidences  of  his  desire  to  avoid  hostilities,  and 
showing  conclusively  that  the  responsibility  of  produc 
ing  them  did  not  rest  with  him.  When  authoritatively 
informed  by  General  Ampudia,  that  war  would  be  the 
consequence  of  a  refusal  to  abandon  his  position,  he 
issued  the  order  to  the  naval  commanders  for  the  en- 
forcement  of  a  blockade,  which,  he  insisted,  was  not  only 


86  ARRIVAL    OF    GENERAL    ARISTA. 

justifiable  under  the  circumstances,  but  could  not  be 
removed,  unless  an  armistice  was  desired,  in  which 
case  he  would  cheerfully  open  the  river.  As  for  the 
consequences  that  might  result,  and  which  were  inti 
mated  in  the  remonstrance  of  General  Arnpudia,  he 
begged  to  be  understood  that  he  was  prepared  for  them, 
"whatever  they  might  be. 

General  Arista*  arrived  at  Matamoras  on  the  24th 
of  April,  and  assumed  the  chief  command,  information 
of  which  was  communicated  by  himself,  in  a  courteous 
note  to  General  Taylor,  stating,  also,  that  he  considered 
hostilities  commenced,  and  should  prosecute  them.  A 
second  proclamation,  prepared  by  him,  was  distributed 
among  the  American  soldiers,  inviting  them  to  desert, 
and  promising  large  bounties  of  land  as  a  reward  for 
espousing  the  Mexican  cause.  A  few,  a  very  few,  of 
those  to  whom  the  proclamation  was  addressed,  accept 
ed  the  offer ;  but,  to  their  honor  be  it  said,  the  great 
majority  spurned  it  with  the  scorn  and  indignation 
which  it  merited. 

On  the  evening  of  the  23rd  of  April,  General  Taylor's 
spies  reported  that  2,500  Mexicans  had  crossed  the  Rio 
Grande  above  the  American  encampment,  and  about 
1,500  below,  with  the  intention  of  surrounding  his 
position,  and  cutting  off  all  communication  with  the 
depot  at  Point  Isabel.  Captain  Ker  was  dispatched 

*  General  Arista  commanded  the  army  on  the  northern  frontier 
of  Mexico,  in  the  summer  of  1845.  He  returned  to  the  interior  in  the 
fall,  when  ihe  revolutionary  movements  were  in  progress.  He  was  op 
posed  to  Pwredes,  and  it  was  at  one  time  supposed  that  he  would  pro- 
iwunce  agaanst  him,  as  the  Mexicans  term  it,  but  it  seems  that  he  was 
content  to  wait  for  a  more  favorable  opportunity.  After  his  defeat  by 
General  Taylor,  in  May  1846,  he  endeavored  to  organize  a  revolutionary 
faction,  but  was  unsuccessful,  and  soon  after  retired  from  the  army. 
He  is  said  to  have  been  one  of  the  ablest  generals  in  the  Mexican  service 


87 

on  the  following  day,  with  a  squadron  of  dragoons,  to 
reconnoitre  the  crossing  near  Burrita,  and  returned  in 
a  few  hours,  with  the  intelligence  that  the  alarm  was 
unfounded.  At  the  same  time  another  squadron,  under 
Captain  Thornton,  was  sent  to  scour  the  country  above. 
They  proceeded  up  the  river  about  twenty-six  miles, 
without  discovering  any  signs  of  the  enemy,  although 
their  inquiries  on  the  way  tended  to  show  that  they  had 
crossed  the  river  in  strength.  At  this  point  the  guide 
refused  to  go  any  further,  alleging  that  the  whole  country 
was  full  of  Mexicans.  The  orders  of  Captain  Thornton 
were,  to  discover  the  position  and  force  of  the  enemy, 
if  they  had  passed  the  river,  but  to  proceed  with  care 
and  caution.  He  was  entirely  ignorant  of  the  coun 
try,  but  perfectly  fearless,  and  somewhat  impetuous. 
Having  decided  to  go  on  without  the  guide,  his  advanced 
guard  was  increased,  and  the  party  again  moved  for 
ward.  At  a  distance  of  about  three  miles  further,  they 
discovered  a  plantation,  inclosed  by  a  chaparral  fence, 
except  on  the  side  facing  the  river,  with  a  farm-house 
situated  about  two  hundred  yards  from  the  entrance, 
which  was  narrow,  and  secured  by  a  pair  of  bars. 

Captain  Thornton  halted  the  advanced  guard,  and 
went  into  the  field  ahead  of  his  men,  to  speak  with 
some  persons  who  appeared  to  be  at  work.  Sufficient 
precautions  had  not  been  taken  to  guard  against  surprise, 
and  a  signal  to  the  guard  was  mistaken  by  the  remain 
der  of  the  force  all  of  whom  entered  the  inclosure. 
In  an  instant  the  chaparral  swarmed  with  the  Mexicans, 
who  had  completely  surrounded  them,  and  apparently 
cut  off  every  chance  of  escape.  A  body  of  cavalry 
also  made  their  appearance,  and  charged  upon  the  little 
band,  who  met  them  gallantly,  and  with  success.  A 
destructive  fire  was  now  poured  upon  them,  which  it 


88  REauismoN  FOR  VOLUNTEERS. 

was  impossible  to  resist,  and  orders  were  given  by  Cap 
tain  Thornton  to  his  men,  to  cut  their  way  through  the 
enemy.  With  a  single  bound  he  cleared  the  fence, 
overturning  a  number  of  the  Mexicans  who  endeavored 
to  stop  him,  and  darted  ahead  in  the  direction  of  General 
Taylor's  position.  In  leaping  a  precipice,  his  horse  fell 
with  him,  and  he  remained  for  some  time  insensible. 
When  he  recovered,  he  again  started  for  the  camp,  but 
was  taken  prisoner  before  he  reached  it.  Meanwhile 
Captain  Hardee,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  command  of 
the  squadron,  ordered  his  men  to  ford  the  river  ;  but  the 
banks  were  found  to  be  so  boggy,  that  this  was  impossi 
ble,  and  he  then  surrendered  himself  and  men  prisoners 
ef.war.  In  "this  affair  the  American  loss  was  ten  killed, 
and  about  fifty  taken  prisoners.  The  Mexican  force 
consisted  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  over  three  hundred 
strong,  commanded  by  General  Torrejon.  General 
Taylor  forthwith  communicated  the  particulars  of  the 
enounter  to  his  government ;  and,  deeming  that  the 
time  had  arrived  when  additional  forces  were  neces 
sary,  he  made  a  requisition  on  the  Governor  of  Louisi 
ana  for  four  regiments  of  infantry,  and  on  the  Governor 
of  Texas  for  two  regiments  of  mounted  men,  and  two 
of  foot,  all  which  were  to  be  sent  into  the  field  as 
soon  as  possible. 


CHAPTER  II 

BATTLES    ON    THE    RIO    GRANDE. 

The  intelligence  of  ^hornton's  Capture  received  in  the  United  States — 
Fears  for  the  Safety  of  General  Taylor — Proceedings  of  Congress — 
Preparations  for  War — Prompt  response  to  the  call  for  Volunteers— 
The  Army  of  Occupation — Skirmishing — March  to  Point  Isabel — 
Bombardment  of  Fort  Brown — Battle  of  Palo  Alto — Resaca  de  la 
Pal  ma — Capture  of  Matamoras,  and  other  Mexican  Towns  on  the 
Rio  Grande. 

THE  fiery  cross,  borne  by  the  swift-footed  Walise,  as 
the  signal  for  the  marshalling  of  the  Scottish  clans,  did 
not  arouse  a  deeper  or  more  intense  feeling  of  anxiety 
than  the  intelligence  of  the  capture  of  Thornton  and 
his  command  on  the  banks  of  the  Bravo.  With  the 
rapidity  of  the  electric  fire,  it  was  communicated  from 
one  extremity  of  the  country  to  the  other.  One  rumor 
followed  close  upon  another.  Exaggerated  accounts 
of  the  forces  of  the  enemy,  and  the  dangers  that  beset 
the  army  of  occupation,  \vere  circulated  far  and  near ; 
each  new  repetition  affording  wider  scope  to  the  imagi 
nation,  and  magnifying  the  causes  of  alarm,  until  the 
public  mind  was  actually  prepared  for  any  disaster 
or  reverse.  Cut  off  from  all  communication  with  his 
depot  of  provisions  and  supplies,  hemmed  in  and  sur 
rounded  by  a  force  trebling  his  own  in  numbers,  Gen 
eral  Taylor  was  represented  to  be  in  a  most  perilous 
position.  The  information  that  he  was  authorized  to 
call  on  the  governors  of  the  neighboring  states  for  vol- 


90  EXCITEMENT    IN    THE    UNITED    STATES. 

unteers  whenever  he  deemed  it  necessary,  quieted  th« 
fears  and  apprehensions  of  the  community  but  for  a 
moment,  and  all  were  soon  prepossessed  with  the  idea 
that  he  had  waited  until  it  was  too  late.  Even  those 
who  were  best  acquainted  with  his  qualities  as  a  soldier, 
and  knew  that  he  would  not  rashly  thrust  himself  into 
danger,  trembled  for  his  safety ;  and,  although  they 
were  satisfied  that  he  would  fight  like  the  stag  at  bay, 
whatever  might  be  the  strength  of  his  assailants,  they 
feared  lest  courage  and  determination  would  avail  him 
nothing,  against  the  powerful  army  which  threatened  to 
overwhelm  him. 

In  the  city  of  New  Orleans,  and  the  adjoining  coun 
try,  the  excitement  was  so  great  that  it  could  scarcely 
be  controlled.  Partaking  of  the  enthusiasm  of  those 
who  surrounded  him,  the  veteran  General  Gaines,* 
then  in  command  of  that  division,  without  waiting  for 
orders  from  Washington,  made  large  requisitions  for 
volunteers,  on  the  Governors  of  Louisiana,  Alabama, 
Mississippi,  and  Missouri,  in  addition  to  those  called  for 
by  General  Taylor,  f  There  was  no  lack  of  applicants 
to  meet  all  the  requisitions,  and  the  only  strife  was,  who 
should  be  first  and  foremost  in  the  rescue.  Within  a 

*  Major  General  Edmund  P.  Gaines  has  been  in  the  service  almost  half 
a  century.  He  was  appointed  an  ensign  in  J  799,  and  received  his  com 
mission  as  a  brigadier  general  in  1814.  He  received  the  brevet  of  ma 
jor  general  for  his  brave  defence  of  Fort  Erie,  against  the  assault  of  the 
British  army  under  General  Drummond. 

•f  The  calls  made  by  General  Gaines  were  countermanded  as  soon  aa 
they  came  to  the  knowledge  of  the  President,  though  recognized  to  the 
extent  of  the  number  of  troops  already  furnished.  These  unexpected 
additions  to  his  force,  not  only  exhausted  General  Taylor's  supplies,  but 
they  also  seriously  embarrassed  his  movements. — (Letters  to  the  Adjutant 
General,  May  20th,  June  3rd,  and  July  1st,  1840.)  But  no  one  doubted 
that  the  motives  of  General  Gaines  were  eminently  praiseworthy.  Too 
much  credit,  perhaps,  was  given  to  the  rumors  against  which  he  and 


PROCEEDINGS  OF  CONGRESS.  91 

very  short  time  a  considerable  force  was  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States,  equipped  and  pro 
vided,  and  on  their  way  to  the  seat  of  war. 

Congress  was  still  in  session,  when  the  information 
that  hostilities  had  commenced  on  the  Rio  Grande 
reached  Washington.  A  special  message  was  received 
from  the  President,  on  the  llth  of  May,  communicating 
the  dispatches  of  General  Taylor,  and  recommending 
the  most  energetic  measures  for  the  prosecution  of  the 
war.  Two  days  were  occupied  in  the  deliberation  and 
discussion  of  the  subject,  and  on  the  13th,  an  act  was 
passed,  with  great  unanimity,  declaring  that  a  state  of 
war  existed  "  by  the  act  of  the  republic  of  Mexico,"  and 
authorizing  the  President  to  accept  the  services  of  fifty 
thousand  volunteers.  The  sum  of  ten  millions  of  dol 
lars  also  was  appropriated  to  carry  on  the  war. 

Energy  and  activity  were  at  once  infused  into  every 
department  of  the  public  service.  Consultations  were 
held  between  the  President,  the  Secretary  of  War, 
and  General  Scott,*  the  general-in-chief  of  the  army. 
Memoranda  were  furnished  to  the  different  staff  officers 
and  heads  of  bureaus.  Quartermasters,  commissaries, 
and  medical  purveyors,  were  busily  engaged  in  making 
calculations,  preparing  estimates,  and  providing  the 

the  War  Department  had  been  warned  by  General  Taylor ;  but  he  could 
not  see  a  brother  officer  in  supposed  peril,  without  volunteering  to  aid 
him.  When  he  heard  the  sound  of  cannon,  he  knew  it  was  time  to 
fight,  as  Napoleon  said,  "  without  waiting  for  orders." 

*  Major  General  Winfield  Scott  is  so  well  known,  as  the  Hero  of 
Chippewa  and  Niagara,  that  it  is  almost  superfluous  to  refer  to  his  mil 
itary  history.  He  entered  the  army,  with  the  rank  of  captain,  in  1808, 
and  in  March,  1814,  at  the  age  of  twenty-eight,  was  made  a  brigadier 
general.  In  the  same  year  he  was  brevettcd  a  major  general,  for  his 
distinguished  services  on  the  Niagara  frontier,  and  on  the  25th  of  June, 
1841,  he  was  appointed  General  in  Chief  of  the  Army,  to  fill  the  vacancy 
occasioned  by  the  death  of  General  Macomb. 


92  PLANS    FOR    TUB    CAMPAIGN. 

necessary  supplies  for  the  comfort  arid  health  of  the 
troops,  their  sustenance  and  equipment,  and  the  requi 
site  facilities  for  transportation.  How  well  the  duties 
of  these  officers  were  discharged,  is  attested  by  the  fact, 
that  an  additional  force  of  near  20,000  men  was  sent 
into  the  field  early  in  the  ensuing  summer. 

The  general  plan  of  the  campaign,  determined  on  at 
Washington,  was,  to  make  a  series  of  flank  invasions,  or 
attacks,  on  the  western,  northern,  and  eastern  frontiers 
of  Mexico.  A  strong  naval  squadron  was  already 
lying  in  the  Gulf,  and  orders  were  issued  to  Commodore 
Conner,  on  the  13th  of  May,  to  blockade  the  Mexican 
ports.  Instructions  had  been  previously  given  to  Com 
modore  Sloat,  the  officer  commanding  the  Pacific 
squadron,  to  take  possession  of  the  principal  ports  and 
towns  on  that  coast,  as  fast  as  his  means  would  allow, 
whenever  he  was  credibly  informed  that  hostilities  had 
commenced.  The  land  forces  of  the  United  States 
were  to  penetrate  the  enemy's  country  in  three  divis 
ions — one  proceeding  from  Fort  Leavenworth  on  the 
Missouri  river,  under  Colonel  (afterwards  General) 
Kearny,*  into  New  Mexico  and  California;  the  sec 
ond,  under  General  Wool,-)-  to  rendezvous  at  San  An- 

*  Brigadier  General  Stephen  W.  Kearny  received  his  lirst  commission, 
that  of  a  lieutenant,  in  1812.  He  served  during  the  war  with  credit, 
and  after  the  peace  was  mainly  employed  on  the  western  frontier.  He 
rose  by  regular  promotion  to  the  rank  of  brigadier  genera),  which  ap 
pointment  was  conferred  on  him  on  the  30th  of  June,  1316'. 

f  Brigadier  General  John  E.  Wool  obtained  a  captain's  commission 
in  1812.  His  military  d^but  was  made  at  the  battle  of  Queenston, 
where  he  highly  distinguished  himself.  He  also  bore  a  conspicuous  part 
under  General  Macomb  at  Plattsburg.  In  18l(j,  he  was  appointed 
inspector-general  of  the  army,  and  continued  to  act  in  that  capacity  for 
twenty-five  years.  His  acquirements  as  a  disciplinarian,  and  his  skill 
as  a  tactician,  are  conceded  to  be  of  a  high  order.  He  was  promoted 
to  the  rank  of  brigadier  general  in  1841. 


ACQUISITION    OF    TERRITORY    FORESEEN.  03 

tonio  de  Bexar,  and  march  due  west  towards  Chihua 
hua  ;  subject,  however,  lo  the  orders  of  the  officer  in 
command  of  the  third  division,  which  was  to  consti 
tute  the  main  body  of  the  army,  and  assuming  the  Rio 
Grande  as  the  base  line  of  its  operations,  to  overrun  and 
occupy  the  provinces  of  Coahuila,  New  Leon,  and  Ta- 
maulipas.  If  found  to  be  practicable,  a  movement  in  the 
direction  of  the  city  of  Mexico  was  designed  to  be  made 
from  this  quarter ;  but,  if  otherwise,  two  projects  were 
in  contemplation — a  march  from  Tampico  on  San  Luis 
Potosi,  and  the  capture  of  Vera  Cruz — to  be  followed 
by  an  advance  movement  towards  the  Mexican  capital ; 
one  or  both  of  which  were  -to  be  adopted,  as  circum 
stances  might  render  expedient.  In  order  to  secure  the 
possession  of  California,  without  weakening  the  column 
under  General  Kearny,  a  regiment  of  volunteers,  with 
a  small  body  of  regular  soldiers,  were  to  be  sent  rounO 
by  sea. 

An  examination  of  the  map  will  show  the  nature  and 
the  propriety  of  these  different  movements.  The  idea 
of  making  a  permanent  conquest  of  any  portion  of  the 
republic  of  Mexico,  for  the  sake  of  territorial  aggran 
dizement  alone,  was  disavowed  by  the  administration, 
and  would  have  been  as  foreign  to  the  purposes  for 
which  our  government  was  formed,  as  it  was  abhorrent 
to  the  wishes  of  the  American  people.  But  it  was  fore 
seen,  at  the  outset,  that  the  prosecution  of  the  war,  if 
successful,  would  be  followed  by  the  acquisition  of  some 
part  of  the  domain  of  Mexico.  She  was  confessedly 
bankrupt ;  her  mines,  her  revenues,  her  lands,  indeed 
all  her  most  valuable  resources,  were  pledged  for  the 
security  of  other  obligations  ;  and  she  possessed  no 
means  of  satisfying  the  claims  of  the  American  citizens, 
and  those  which  would  necessarily  grow  out  of  a  state 


94  GENERAL    SCOTT    AND    TUB    PRESIDENT. 

of  hostilities,  except  by  a  cession  of  her  territory.  It 
was  thought  expedient  therefore,  to  take  possession  of 
that  lying  contiguous  to  the  United  States,  ana,  pursu 
ing  the  same  policy,  to  establish  temporary  civil  govern 
ments  in  New  Mexico  and  California,  to  be  continued 
in  another  form,  if  those  provinces  were  annexed,  and 
to  be  suspended  in  the  event  of  their  restoration.  By 
carrying  the  war,  at  the  same  time,  into  the  interior, 
into  the  heart  of  the  country,  it  was  evident  that  the 
government  of  Mexico  would  be  ultimately  driven  to 
abandon  her  position  of  refusing  to  negotiate,  and  to 
conclude  a  treaty  of  peace  on  fair  and  honorable  terms. 

The  several  projects  adopted  by  the  principal  exec 
utive  and  military  officers  of  the  government,  with  such 
modifications  and  changes  as  were  discovered  to  be  ne 
cessary,  were  carried  into  effect.  General  Wool  found  it 
impracticable  to  continue  his  route  over  the  mountains 
to  Chihuahua,  and  turned  aside  to  Monclova  and  Parras, 
afterwards  effecting  a  junction  with  General  Taylor's 
army  at  Saltillo.  The  demonstration  from  Tampico, 
against  San  Luis  Potosi,  and  the  march  into  the  in 
terior  of  Mexico  from  the  north,  were  also  abandoned. 

It  was  originally  designed  that  the  main  body  of  the 
army  should  be  placed  under  the  immediate  command 
of  General  Scott,  whose  official  position,  to  say  noth 
ing  of  his  ability,  seemed  to  render  the  selection  a 
proper  and  desirable  one.  An  unfortunate  misunder 
standing,  between  the  President  and  Secretary  of  Wai 
on  the  one  hand,  and  himself  on  the  other,  was  fol 
lowed  by  a  change  in  the  orders  which  had  been  given, 
and  he  was  directed  to  confine  his  services  to  the  city  of 
Washington.  It  would  be  out  of  place  in  a  work  of  this 
character,  to  enter  into  the  details  of  that  controversy. 
It  is  sufficient  to  say  of  it,  that  although  there  was  too 


CALL    FOR    VOLUNTEERS.  05 

little  deference  shown  on  the  one  side,  towards  those 
whom  the  law  and  the  constitution  had  intrusted  with 
superior  authority,  it  was  forgotten  on  the  other,  that 
the  wounds  of  a  soldier  who  had  fought  and  bled  in 
the  service  of  his  country,  were  to  be  held  sacred,  and 
that  a  single  hasty  word,  or  an  ill-advised  act,  ought  to 
weigh  as  nothing  against  the  qualifications  which 
placed  their  possessor  in  the  front  rank  of  military  men 
in  the  world.  There  are  few  friends  of  General  Scott 
but  will  lament  this  occurrence ;  and  it  is  equally 
true,  that  the  efforts  made  to  supersede  him  will  never 
be  regarded  with  favor.  Neither  Congress  nor  the 
country  approved  them  ;  and  if  mentioned  at  all,  they 
should  only  be  regretted.* 

The  proclamation  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  announcing  the  existence  of  the  war  with  Mex 
ico,  was  issued  on  the  same  day  with  the  passage  of  the 
act  in  Congress.  So  prompt  was  the  country  to  respond 
to  the  call  for  volunteers,  that  in  a  few  weeks  the  ser 
vices  of  more  than  two  hundred  thousand  men  were 
offered  to  the  Executive.  But  a  small  portion  of  these 
could  be  accepted,  and  only  twenty-four  regiments, 
whose  aggregate  strength  was  18,000  men,  were  im 
mediately  called  into  the  field.  Early  in  the  session  of 

*  A  bill  was  introduced  in  Congress,  in  May,  1846,  providing  for  the 
appointment  of  two  additional  major  generals,  and  authorizing  the 
President  to  assign  them  their  relative  command  and  rank.  It  failed  to 
become  a  law  in  that  shape;  and  provision  was  afterwards  made  for 
the  appointment  of  v  ne  major  general,  and  two  brigadiers.  General 
Taylor  was  appointed  the  major  general,  and  the  brigadiers  selected 
were  Generals  Twiggs  and  Kearny.  At  the  session  of  184G-7,  the 
project  of  creating  the  office  of  lieutenant  general  was  brought  forward, 
but  Congress  could  not  be  induced  to  sanction  it.  The  appointment 
was  intended  to  be  conferred  on  a  civilian,  who  would  thus  have  been 
elevated  above  all  the  more  experienced,  if  not  abler,  officers  of  the 
army. 


96  ACTIVE    PREPARATIONS    FUR    THE    WAR. 

Congress  a  bill  had  been  introduced,  in  pursuance 
of  the  suggestion  of  the  general-in-chief,  authorizing 
an  increase  of  the  rank  and  file  of  the  regular  army. 
It  was  not  pressed  forward  with  as  much  celerity  as  it 
should  have  been,  and  became  a  law  but  a  short  time 
prior  to  the  act  of  the  13th  of  May.  All  the  disposable 
recruits  enlisted  for  several  months  previous  had  been 
sent  to  General  Taylor,  and  this  was  continued  afrer 
the  passage  of  the  bill.  The  regular  force  in  Mexico 
was  increased,  during  the  season,  to  almost  7,000  men. 

Though  deprived  of  any  active  command,  General 
Scott,  in  connection  with  the  able  staff  officers  under 
his  orders,  applied  himself  vigorously  to  the  task  of  fit 
ting  the  volunteers  for  the  scenes  that  awaited  them. 
The  city  of  New  Orleans  was  to  be  the  grand  depot  of 
supply,  and  all  the  materiel  for  carrying  on  the  war 
was  hurried  forward  as  rapidly  as  possible  to  this  point. 
Whatever  determination,  perseverance,  and  ability 
could  accomplish,  was  performed.  Delays  and  embar 
rassments  sometimes  occurred,  but  these  were  to  have 
been  expected  in  a  country  without  a  standing  army, 
and  which  was  called  upon  in  an  emergency  to  raise 
and  equip  a  large  volunteer  force.  Temporary  incon 
venience  was  felt  on  all  hands,  yet  this  was  of  minor 
importance,  in  comparison  with  the  evils  which  might 
follow  from  keeping  up  a  large  military  establishment. 

While  all  these  preparations  were  being  made  at 
Washington,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  country  ;  and 
while  so  much  apprehension  and  alarm  were  entertained 
'or  the  safety  of  General  Taylor  and  the  army  on  the 
llio  Grande,  he  appears  to  have  been  entirely  uncon 
scious  of  his  and  their  danger.  Jn  a  letter  written  to 
the  adjutant  general  on  the  20th  of  May,  1846,  he  said, 
that  he  knew,  if  the  Mexicans  fought  him  at  all,  '*  ii 


GENERAL  TAYLOfi'd  FORCE  TOO  SMALL.       97 

would  be  before  the  arrival  of  the  volunteers."  lie 
never  doubted  his  ability  to  maintain  himself,  with  the 
force  already  under  his  command,  against  the  whob 
Mexican  army ;  and  the  sequel  proved  that  his  confi 
dence  in  the  bravery  and  discipline  of  his  men  was  well 
founded.  Nevertheless,  it  is  to  be  regretted  that  a 
much  larger  army  was  not  sent,  in  the  first  instance,  to 
assert,  by  its  presence,  the  claim  of  the  United  States 
to  the  disputed  territory.  The  reluctance  always  ex 
hibited  in  Congress  to  increase  the  regular  military 
force;  the  jealousy  with  which  any  proposition  of  that 
character  would  be  regarded  by  the  people ;  the  suppo 
sition  that  it  might  be  looked  upon  in  England  as  a 
measure  of  intimidation,  while  the  Oregon  negotiation 
was  in  progress,  and  there  was  no  actual  war  with 
Mexico  ;  and  the  necessity  of  keeping  the  Atlantic 
coast,  and  the  northern  frontier,  well  protected,  until 
that  question  was  settled,  were  strong  reasons  for  the 
course  adopted  by  our  government.  But  a  single  con 
sideration  will  show  that  this  policy  was  an  unfortunate 
one,  though  it  may  have  been  necessary.  The  great 
body  of  the  Mexican  army  at  Matamoras  were  ignorant 
and  cowardly,  but  of  an  excitable  temperament,  and, 
after  the  capture  of  Thornton  and  his  dragoons,  easily 
wrought  upon  to  engage  in  any  enterprise  which  their 
leaders  thought  proper  to  undertake  ;  but  had  General 
Taylor's  force  been  double  what  it  was  in  numbers, 
those  leaders  must  have  seen  that  it  would  be  madness 
to  think  of  contending  against  him,  and  it  is  scarcely 
probable  that  they  would  have  hastened  on  the  war  by 
crossing  the  river. 

After  the  capture  of  the  party  under  Captain  Thorn 
ton,  the  Mexican  detachment  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
river,  commanded  by  General  Torrejon,  was  increased 


98  CAPTAIN    WALKER    AND    III8    RANGERS. 

by  large  reinforcements  from  the  opposite  shore.  A 
part  of  this  force,  by  making  a  detour  to  the  left,  gained 
a  position  between  General  Taylor's  camp  and  Point 
Isabel,  and  the  remainder  occupied  the  country  above. 
The  communication  between  the  Point  and  the  main 
army  was  now  closed,  and  the  teams  employed  in  con 
veying  provisions  and  supplies  from  the  depot,  were 
compelled  to  return  without  reaching  their  destination. 
Captain  Walker  had  been  stationed  with  his  company 
of  Texan  Rangers,  between  the  two  positions,  with  in 
structions  to  keep  the  road  open  ;  and  on  being  informed 
by  the  teamsters  that  the  Mexicans  had  completely  ob 
structed  it,  he  left  his  camp  with  about  half  his  force,  on 
the  28th  of  April,  to  reconnoitre.  The  captain  was  an 
experienced  frontier  soldier,  and  ^ave  his  men  special 
directions  to  guard  against  a  surprise.  During  his 
absence,  the  camp  was  suddenly  attacked  by  a  large 
body  of  ranchero  cavalry,  supposed  to  be  nearly  1,500 
strong.  The  rangers  were  mostly  new  volunteers,  and 
did  not  obey  the  injunctions  of  their  leader  ;  they  were 
instantly  thrown  into  confusion,  and  he  returned  in 
time  to  check,  but  not  to  remedy  the  disaster.  A  smart 
engagement  was  kept  up  for  a  few  moments,  during 
which  the  Mexicans  lost  thirty  men,  but  the  captain 
was  forced  to  make  a  hurried  retreat  to  the  Point.  His 
own  loss  was  nine,  in  killed  and  wounded. 

The  information  brought  in  by  Captain  Walker  oc 
casioned  much  alarm  and  anxiety  at  the  Point.  The  ene- 
emy  could  not  be  ignorant  of  the  value  of  the  stores  col 
lected  here,  and  an  attack  was  hourly  expected.  Every 
man  connected  with  the  service  was  provided  with 
arms,  and  the  masters  and  crews  of  the  vessels  and  trans 
ports  lying  in  the  harbor  promptly  came  on  shore  and 
tendered  their  services.  The  entire  force  which  Major 


POINT    ISABEL    THREATENED.  99 

Mu'iroe  was  thus  enabled  to  collect  for  the  defence  of 
the  post,  including  the  two  companies  of  artillery  and 
the  rangers,  amounted  to  about  500  men.  His  artillery 
consisted  of  sixteen  brass  six  pounders,  two  long  eigh- 
teens,  and  two  ship's  guns.  He  was  amply  provided 
with  ammunition,  and  felt  confident  that  he  could  with 
stand  a  force  three  times  his  own  in  number. 

Though  the  enterprise  was  a  most  hazardous  one, 
Captain  Walker  offered  to  be  the  bearer  of  a  com 
munication  from  Major  Munroe  to  General  Taylor, 
apprizing  him  of  the  situation  of  the  depot,  provided 
four  men  would  accompany  him.  Permission  was 
given  him  to  make  the  attempt,  and  six  men  volun 
teered  to  go  with  him.  He  left  the  Point  with  his  party, 
on  the  morning  of  the  29th  of  April ;  the  service  was 
full  of  peril,  as  every  bush  and  thicket  were  supposed 
to  conceal  a  hidden  enemy  ;  but  he  succeeded,  on  the 
evening  of  the  same  day,  in  reaching  the  camp  oppo 
site  Matamoras,  in  safety,  after  making  several  hair 
breadth  escapes ;  on  one  occasion  cutting  his  way 
through  a  body  of  Mexican  lancers  who  endeavored  to 
intercept  him. 

Previous  to  this  time,  General  Taylor  had  been  in 
formed  that  the  enemy  were  preparing  to  cross  below 
his  camp,  with  the  view  of  effecting  a  junction  with  the 
force  under  General  Torrejon.  The  design  of  Arista 
was  at  once  apparent.  Ever  since  the  blockade,  pro 
visions  had  been  scarce  in  Matamoras.  The  prize  at 
Point  Isabel  had  attracted  his  attention,  and  he  had  de 
termined  to  secure  it.  This  position  in  his  hands,  General 
Taylor  WDuld  be  cut  of  from  his  supplies,  and  from  all 
communication  with  New  Orleans,  by  water,  the  only 
mode  by  which  he  could  be  immediately  reinforced,  or 
furnished  with  military  stores  and  provisions.  The 


100  M4RCII    TO    THE    POINT. 

unfinished  state  of  his  field-work,  and  the  necessity  of 
placing  it  iira  good  condition  for  defence,  had  hither!  > 
prevented  General  Taylor  from  acting  on  the  offensive 
but  as  his  own  ammunition  and  provisions  were  be 
coming  reduced,  and  his  principal  depot  was  menaced 
he  determined  to  march  to  the  Point  with  the  mail 
body  of  the  army  as  soon  as  possible,  and  put  an  enc 
to  the  land  blockade  which  the  enemy  appeared  dis 
posed  to  enforce  against  him.     The  troops  were  em 
ployed  without  intermission,  on  the  field-work,  until  the 
morning  of  the  1st  of  May,  when  it  appeared  to  be 
capable  of  being  defended  by  an  inferior  force,  and 
orders  were  then  issued  to  prepare  for  the  march. 

The  seventh  regiment  of  infantry,  with  Captain 
Lowd's  and  Lieutenant  Bragg's  companies  of  artillery, 
numbering,  in  all,  about  GOO  men,  were  detailed  to  gar 
rison  the  field-work,  and  complete  its  defences.  Major 
Brown,  of  the  7th,  was  left  in  command.  At  half-past 
three  in  the  afternoon  of  the  1st,  the  main  force  marched 
under  General  Taylor,  leaving  all  their  sick  behind  them 
at  the  post ;  and  at  eleven  o'clock  on  the  same  evening 
bivouacked  in  the  open  prairie,  about  ten  miles  from 
Point  Isabel.  The  march  was  resumed  the  next  morn 
ing,  and  they  reached  the  depot  early  in  the  day,  with 
out  discovering  any  indications  of  the  enemy. 

The  departure  of  General  Taylor,  with  the  greater 
part  of  his  army,  was  hailed  in  Matamoras  with  every 
manifestation  of  joy.  His  march  was  pronounced  a 
hasty  retreat,  and  it  was  said  that  he  had  shut  himself 
up  in  the  fort,  and  lacked  sufficient  courage  to  meet 
the  Mexicans  in  the  field.  The  newspapers  published 
in  Matamoras  abounded  in  declarations  to  this  effect ; 
and  El  Monitor  Republicano  boastfully  announced, 
that  the  American  general  "  dared  not  resist  the  valor 


ATTACK    ON    FORT    £ROWN.  1.01 

and  enthusiasm  of  the  sons  of  Mexico."  Within  a 
week  they  were  'taught  to  know  him  better,  and  their 
loud  boasting  changed  to  mournful  lamentations.* 

General  Arista,  \vlio  now  had  not  far  from  8,000 
men  under  his  command,  left  Matamoras  with  the  prin 
cipal  part  of  the  troops  remaining  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river,  several  hours  before  the  departure  of  General 
Taylor  from  his  position  opposite  the  city.  On  arriv 
ing  at  the  crossing-place  below  Matamoras,  the  flat 
boats  were  found  to  be  so  much  injured,  that  consider 
able  delay  was  produced  before  he  could  concentrate 
nis  forces  for  the  contemplated  attack  on  the  Point. 
General  Taylor  was  on  his  way  to  its  relief,  and  he  did 
not  think  it  advisable  to  hazard  an  engagement,  in  the 
then  disordered  condition  of  his  army.  The  detach 
ment  under  General  Torrejon  occupied  the  left  bank, 
to  cover  the  crossing,  and  the  Americans  were  there 
fore  unmolested  on  their  march. 

An  attack  on  Fort  Texas,  as  the  American  field-work 
opposite  Matamoras  was  called,f  next  suggested  itself 
to  the  Mexican  commander.  The  necessary  orders 
were  given,  and  the  firing  commenced  at  daylight  on 
Sunday  mornii  g,  the  3rd  instant,  from  a  battery  of 
seven  guns,  (eifoht-pounders,)  protected  by  a  breast 
work  of  sand-bags.  The  reveille  was  beaten  at  every 
point  of  the  Mexican  line,  and  the  solemn  stillness  of 

tf-- 

*  It  was  claimed  by  the  Mexican  journals  that  their  army  made  every 
effort  to  come  up  with  the  Americans,  but  were  unable  to  do  so.  This 
is  not  at  all  probable.  Arista  left  Matamoras  at  eleven  o'clock  in  the 
forenoon  of  the  1st,  and  his  troops  had  preceded  him  several  hours. 
General  Mcjia  who  remained  in  command  in  the  city,  dispatched  a  mes 
senger  with  the  news  of  General  Taylor's  march  soon  after  it  com 
menced.  If  the  Mexicans  had  desired  to  overtake  General  Taylor, 
they  could  have  found  him  that  night  on  the  prairie. 

•J-  The  name  was  subsequently  changed  to  Fort  Brown. 


SETTLEMENT    -AT    POINT    ISABEL. 

the  day  was  soon  broken  by  the  thunder  of  the  cannon, 
the  pealing  notes  of  the  church  bells  in  Matamoras, 
and  the  loud  vivas  of  the  inhabitants  who  had  assem 
bled  to  witness  the  scene,  and  to  cheer  and  animate 
their  countrymen.  The  American  batteries  were 
quickly  manned,  and  a  strong  fire  kept  up  from  the 
eighteen  and  six-pounders,  for  thirty  minutes,  when  the 
enemy's  fort  was  silenced.  Two  of  their  guns  were 
disabled,  and  the  remainder  were  removed  to  another 
fort  lower  down.  A  few  shells  had  been  thrown  from 
a  mortar  in  the  sand-bag  fort,  but  this  was  also  re 
moved  to  the  lower  fort,  and  a  heavy  cannonade  com 
menced  from  that  point,  which  was  continued,  almost 
without  intermission,  until  12  o'clock  at  night,  during 
which  time  from  twelve  to  fifteen  hundred  shot  were 
discharged.  But  little  damage  was  done  by  the  Mexi 
can  guns,  though  the  embrasures  were  frequently 
struck.  The  only  real  annoyance  \vas  produced  by 
the  mortar,  from  which  a  number  of  shells  were  thrown 
that  exploded  in  the  fort.  Finding  that  his  six-pound 
ers  produced  no  effect,  Major  Brown  ordered  them  to 
be  posted  in  the  rear  to  prevent  an  assault.  A  steady 
and  deliberate  fire  was  then  continued  from  the  eigh- 
teen-pounders  by  Captain  Lowd,  anJ  a  number  of 
houses  and  other  buildings  in  the  city  were  considera 
bly  injured  by  the  balls.  An  attempt  was  made  to  fire 
the  town  by  throwing  hot  balls,  but  they  could  not  be 
sufficiently  heated  to  answer  the  purpose.  At  ten 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  Major  Brown  ordered  the  fire 
to  cease.  It  was  found  to  be  impossible  to  silence  the 
mortar,  and,  as  the  enemy's  guns  did  no  harm,  he 
wished  to  husband  the  small  supply  of  ammunition  in 
the  fort.  During  the  cannonade  and  bombardment, 
the  garrison  continued  their  labors  on  the  unfinished 


LAW    OF    CONGRESS.  103 

works,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  efficient  engi 
neer  officer,  Captain  Mansfield.  But  one  man  was 
killed  in  the  fort,  and  none  were  wounded. 

The  cannonade  in  the  direction  of  Matamoras  on 
the  3rd  instant  was  heard  at  Point  Isabel,  and  General 
Taylor  dispatched  Captain  Walker,  with  ten  of  his 
rangers,  protected  by  a  squadron  of  cavalry  under  Cap 
tain  May,  to  communicate  with  Major  Brown.  The 
party  set  out  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  at 
nine  came  in  sight  of  the  watch  fires  of  the  enemy, 
who  were  encamped  near  Palo  Alto.  Taking  a  wide 
circuit,  Captain  May  gained  a  position  in  the  rear, 
where  he  concealed  his  men  in  a  thicket  of  chaparral, 
while  Captain  Walker  proceeded  to  the  fort.  The  lat 
ter  accomplished  his  errand,  and  communicated  the 
orders  of  General  Taylor,  not  to  hazard  the  safety  of 
the  fort  by  a  sally,  under  any  circumstances,  but  to 
defend  it  to  the  last.  Having  obtained  fresh  horses,  he 
returned  to  the  place  where  he  had  parted  with  the 
cavalry  escort,  but  found  it  deserted.  He  was  then 
compelled  to  seek  safety  in  the  fort  during  the  day. 
At  night  he  ventured  forth  again,  and  reached  the 
Point  unharmed,  notwithstanding  there  were  numer 
ous  parties  on  the  alert  to  capture  him.  His  bold  and 
daring  feats  as  a  partisan  were  known  to  the  Mexicans, 
and  they  were  anxious  to  get  him  in  their  power,  but 
he  eluded  all  their  efforts. 

Meanwhile  Captain  May  had  waited  until  daylight, 
and  finding  that  Captain  Walker  did  not  return,  he  sup 
posed  he  had  been  taken  by  the  enemy,  and  as  his  own 
position  would  soon  be  an  unsafe  one,  he  decided  to  re 
turn.  In  order  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  position,  he 
passed  within  half  a  mile  of  their  camp  at  a  full  gallop. 
When  about  twelve  miles  from  Point  Isabel  he  encoun 


104  CLAIM    TO    THE    LOWER    RIO    GRANDE. 

tered  a  body  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  lancers,  whom 
he  charged  and  pursued  nearly  three  miles  ;  but  as  their 
horses  were  fresh,  and  his  much  jaded,  he  was  unable 
to  overtake  them.  Fears  were  now  entertained  for  the 
safety  of  Captain  Walker,  but  all  alarm  was  banished 
by  his  subsequent  reappearance.  He  brought  the  in 
formation  that  the  firing  of  the  batteries  at  Matamoras 
had  recommenced  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  but  was 
kept  up  only  at  long  intervals,  and  without  producing 
any  damage. 

The  partial  cessation  of  the  enemy's  fire  enabled 
Major  Brown  to  continue  the  work  on  the  defences  of 
the  fort,  without  any  serious  molestation.  On  the  night 
of  the  4th  the  Mexicans  crossed  the  river  and  erected 
a  strong  battery,  provided  with  cannon  and  mortars,  in 
the  rear  of  his  position.  About  five  o'clock  in  the  af 
ternoon,  the  field-battery  commenced  playing,  and  at 
the  same  time  a  constant  discharge  of  shot  and  shells 
was  kept  up  from  the  batteries  in  Matamoras.  The 
garrison  were  not  daunted  by  reason  of  their  being  ex 
posed  to  this  cross  fire,  but  returned  it  with  spirit  until 
the  enemy's  batteries  were  silenced  for  the  day.  To 
wards  evening  detachments  of  Mexican  lancers  and 
rancheros  were  observed  hovering  about  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  fort  on  the  north  and  east.  Lieutenant  Hanson, 
at  his  request,  was  sent  out  with  a  party  to  reconnoitre, 
and  returned  with  the  intelligence  that  the  enemy  were 
making  preparations  to  invest  the  fort.  The  invest 
ment  was  completed  before  night,  and  Major  Brown 
now  fired  his  eighteen-pounders  at  regular  intervals, 
which  was  the  preconcerted  signal  to  inform  General 
Taylor  of  his  situation. 

Having  failed  in  his  design  of  capturing  the  depot 
at  Point  Isabel,  General  Arista  had  drawn  his  forces 


DEATH  OF  MAJOR  BROWN.  105 

around  the  fort  opposite  Matamoras,  in  the  hope  of  ef 
fecting  its  reduction  before  it  could  be  relieved.  The 
firing  was  renewed  from  his  batteries,  on  the  morning 
of  the  6th,  with  increased  vigor.  Owing  to  the  scarcity 
of  ammunition  in  the  fort,  Major  Brown  ordered  his 
men  to  cease  firing,  but  to  be  prepared  for  resisting  an 
assault.  Soon  after  giving  this  order,  he  was  struck  by 
the  fragments  of  a  shell  which  exploded  near  him.  The 
injury  proved  to  be  mortal,  and  terminated  his  career 
on  the  9th  of  May.  His  loss  to  the  service  was  a  se 
vere  one,  and,  as  General  Taylor  afterwards  remarked, 
to  the  army  under  his  orders  it  was  "  indeed  irrepara 
ble." 

After  the  fall  of  Major  Brown,  Captain  Hawkins,  of 
the  same  regiment,  assumed  the  command.  From  the 
fact  that  the  guns  of  the  fort  had  ceased  playing,  the 
Mexicans  supposed  them  completely  silenced.  About 
noon  they  also  stopped  firing,  and  every  thing  remained 
quiet  for  two  hours,  when  one  of  their  batteries  com 
menced  a  slow  fire.  The  light  companies  near  the  fort 
moved  within  musket  range,  as  if  preparing  for  an  as 
sault,  but  were  soon  driven  away  by  Captain  Lowd's 
battery,  which  opened  upon  them.  At  five  o'clock  the 
Mexicans  sounded  a  parley,  and  two  officers  approached 
the  fort,  with  a  written  communication  from  General 
Arista,  summoning  the  garrison  to  surrender,  to  which 
a  reply  was  to  be  returned  within  one  hour.  A  coun 
cil  of  his  officers  was  convened  by  Captain  Hawkins, 
and  the  summons  laid  before  them.  The  stern  and 
unanimous  response  was — to  defend  the  fort  to  the 
death  !  *  The  reply  of  the  American  commander  was 

*  The  reply  of  Captain  Hawkins  to  that  part  of  Arista's  note  sum 
moning  him  to  surrender,  was  so  brief,  and  yet  so  pertinent,  that  it 
deserves  to  be  copied :  "  Your  humane  communication,"  said  he,  "  koa 


IOC  THE  DEFENCE  CONTINUED. 

followed  by  a  terrible  cannonade,  much  more  severe 
than  any  which  had  preceded  it.  At  night  the  garrison 
slept  on  their  arms,  in  readiness  for  the  anticipated  at 
tack.  During  the  whole  of  the  following  day  they  were 
on  the  alert.  A  severe  cannonading  was  constantly 
kept  up  by  the  enemy,  and  assaulting  parties  were  sev 
eral  times  formed,  though  as  often  dispersed  by  a  few 
rounds  of  canister  and  grape  fired  from  the  fort.  In 
the  evening  Captain  Mansfield  sallied  out  with  a  party, 
and  levelled  the  traverse  and  some  clumps  of  chaparral, 
which  had  sheltered  the  sharp-shooters,  whose  fire  had 
been  quite  annoying  to  the  Americans.  At  midnight 
the  garrison  was  aroused  by  volleys  of  musketry  and 
bugle  calls,  which  continued  until  near  daylight.  An 
assault  was  confidently  anticipated,  but  the  brave  de 
fenders  of  the  fort  were  happily  disappointed. 

At  dawn  of  day  on  the  8th,  the  firing  was  renewed, 
and  continued  with  very  little  intermission,  until  two 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.  The  forces  of  the  enemy  did 
not  appear  to  be  as  numerous  as  they  had  been,  and 
when  this  was  discovered,  the  hopes  of  the  garrison 
began  to  revive.  Wearied  and  worn  out  with  the  con 
stant  watching,  the  labor  and  fatigue  of  the  last  six 
days,  they  lay  down  to  rest  themselves  upon  the  ram 
parts  which  had  witnessed  their  long  and  anxious  vigils. 
Their  ammunition  was  reduced  so  low,  that  they  had 
been  ordered  to  refrain  from  firing,  unless  the  enemy 
approached  within  eighty  yards  of  the  fort.*  This,  of 
itself,  would  have  discouraged  men  who  were  not  sus- 

just  been  received,  and,  after  the  consideration  due  to  its  importance,  I 
must  respectfully  decline  to  surrender  my  forces  to  you." 

*  The  tents  of  the  7th  infantry  were  cut  up,  also,  during  the  bom 
bardment  of  the  fort,  to  make  sand-bags  for  the  protection  of  the  gar- 


MARCH    OF    TAYLOR    FROM    POINT    ISABEL.  107 

tained  by  the  indomitable  courage  that  nerved  their 
hands,  and  strengthened  their  hearts.  They  still  fearea 
the  worst,  but  they  did  not  wholly  despond.  For  a 
few  moments  all  was  still, — and  then  the  silence  was 
suddenly  broken  by  the  thunder  of  heavy  artillery. 
Each  man  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  for  an  instant  held 
his  breath.  Boom ! — boom  ! — those  low,  deep  echoes 
were  repeated  and  prolonged  in  the  distance.  The 
sound  could  not  be  mistaken — General  Taylor  was  on 
the  road  to  rescue  them — the  bronzed  countenances  of 
that  band  were  lit  up  by  a  smile  of  joy,  and  their  glad 
hurrah  rang  loud  and  clear  down  the  valley  of  the  Rio 
Grande. 

On  the  6th  of  May,  a  body  of  recruits  for  General 
Taylor's  army  arrived  at  Point  Isabel.  The  garrison 
of  the  fort  at  the  depot  was  strengthened  by  the  addi 
tion  of  this  detachment ;  and  having  completed  his 
preparations,  General  Taylor  left  the  Point  on  the  af 
ternoon  of  the  succeeding  day,  with  a  force  of  about 
2,300  men,  accompanied  by  a  large  wagon  train  con 
taining  his  ammunition  and  supplies.  Occasional  guns 
were  heard  in  the  direction  of  Matamoras,  which  as 
sured  him  that  everything  was  right  in  that  quarter. 
It  was  his  determination  to  fight  the  enemy,  if  they  of 
fered  him  battle,*  and  his  intentions  were  communicated 
to  the  army.  On  the  night  of  the  7th,  his  forces  bi 
vouacked  about  seven  miles  from  Point  Isabel.  The 
march  was  resumed  on  the  following  morning,  and 
continued  until  about  noon,  when  his  cavalry  advance 
reported  that  the  Mexican  army  were  drawn  up  in  front, 
near  the  water  hole  of  PALO  ALTO. 

*  "  If  the  enemy  oppose  my  march,  in  whatever  force,  I  shall  fight 
him." — Letter  of  General  Taylor  to  the  adjutant  general  May  7th, 
1846. 


108  THE    FIELD    OF    PALO    ALTO. 

The  Mexican  position  was  admirably  chosen.  Their 
column  was  over  a  mile  in  length.  In  front  was  the 
open  prairie,  flanked  on  either  hand  by  small  pools  of 
fresh  water,  and  surrounded  by  groves  of  dwarfish 
trees,*  clumps  of  chaparral,  and  thickets  of  prickly 
pear.  Their  left,  consisting  of  a  heavy  force  of  cav 
alry,  commanded  by  General  Torrejon,  occupied  the 
road,  resting  on  the  chaparral  in  the  rear,  while  to  the 
right  extended  their  long  lines  of  infantry,  with  an  oc 
casional  party  of  lancers.  The  artillery,  twelve  pieces 
in  number,  was  posted  in  the  intervals,  under  the  di 
rection  of  General  Requena.  General  Ampudia  acted 
as  second  in  command  to  Arista.  The  array  presented 
by  his  forces  was  splendid  and  striking ;  the  day  was 
bright  and  clear ;  and  a  slight  breeze  rustled  among  the 
leaves,  and  gently  lifted  the  standards  and  guidons  be 
neath  which  they  were  marshalled  for  the  fight. 

On  reaching  the  water,  General  Taylor  ordered  a 
halt  to  refresh  his  men,  who  were  thirsty  and  fatigued, 
though  anxious  to  be  led  forward  to  the  attack.  Hav 
ing  filled  their  canteens,  the  troops  were  formed  in 
line  of  battle.  The  right  wing,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Twiggs,  consisted  of  the  5th  infantry,  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Mclntosh  ;  Major  Ringgold's  light  artillery  ;  3rd 
infantry,  Captain  Morris ;  two  eighteen  pounders  in 
command  of  Lieutenant  Churchill ;  and  4th  infantry, 
Major  Allen — the  3rd  and  4th  regiments,  composing  the 
third  brigade,  were  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Garland.  The  two  squadrons  of  dragoons,  under  Cap 
tains  Ker  and  May,  were  also  posted  on  the  right. 
The  left  was  composed  of  the  battalion  of  artillery, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Childs ;  Captain  Duncan's  light  ar 
tillery  ;  and  the  8th  infantry,  Captain  Montgomery — 
*  This  species  of  tree  is  called  "  Palo  Alto." 


COMMENCEMENT    OP    THE    BATTLE.  109 

all  forming  the  first  brigade,  and  commanded  by  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Belknap.  The  wagon  train  was  strongly 
parked  near  the  water  in  rear  of  the  right  wing,  under 
the  direction  of  Captains  Grossman  and  Myers,  and 
protected  by  Captain  Ker's  squadron. 

At  two  o'clock  the  army  took  up  the  march  by  heads 
of  columns,  all  moving  with  the  utmost  regularity  and 
promptitude,  and  the  stillness  broken  only  by  their 
measured  tread,  the  firm  tones  of  command,  the  heavy 
tramp  of  cavalry,  the  rumbling  wheels  of  the  artillery, 
and  the  shrill  notes  of  mart>al  music.  While  they  were 
advancing,  Lieutenant  Blake,  of  the  topographical  en 
gineers,  volunteered  a  reconnaissance,  which  he  exe 
cuted  in  the  most  daring  manner,  to  the  admiration  of 
all  who  beheld  it.  Approaching  to  within  rifle  shot  of 
the  enemy's  line,  he  dismounted,  and  coolly  surveyed 
their  position  with  his  spy-glass.  He  then  remounted, 
and  galloped  along  the  whole  line,  discovering  the  ar 
tillery,  which  had  been  previously  masked  by  the  tall 
grass  of  the  prairie,  and  estimating  the  number  of  their 
cavalry  and  infantry  with  singular  accuracy.* 

General  Taylor  halted  his  columns,  and  deployed 
them  into  line,  within  seven  hundred  yards  of  the  en 
emy,  whose  artillery  began  to  pour  forth  its  warlike 
music.  Their  guns  were  by  no  means  skilfully  served ; 
the  balls  almost  invariably  bounced  over  the  heads  of 
the  Americans,  and  ricocheted  along  the  plain  in  the 
rear,  or  ploughed  deep  furrows  in  the  prairie,  and  filled 
the  air  with  clouds  of  dust.  On  both  sides  the  battle 
was  mainly  confined  to  the  artillery.  The  guns  of 
Ringgold,  Churchill,  and  Duncan,  were  finely  managed. 

*  The  career  of  this  officer  was  brief  indeed.  He  accidentally  shot 
himself  with  one  of  his  pistols  on  the  morning  of  the  9th  of  May,  and 
died  before  night. 


110  REPULSE    OF    THE    MEXICAN    LANCERS. 

For  two  hours  the  roar  was  almost  deafening.  Whole 
columns  of  the  enemy  were  swept  away,  as  if  by  the 
breath  of  the  tornado.  The  American  infantry  exhib 
ited  the  highest  proof  of  soldiership,  in  remaining  inac 
tive  under  a  severe  fire,  yet  ready  at  any  moment  to 
protect  the  artillery  from  a  charge  of  cavalry.  The 
Mexican  lancers  grew  impatient,  and  demanded  that 
some  movement  should  be  made  to  check  the  fire  com 
mitting  such  dreadful  havoc  among  them,  or  that  they 
should  be  allowed  to  retire.  General  Torrejon  led  them 
to  the  charge  on  the  right  flank,  but  Colonel  Twiggs 
promptly  met  it  with  the  5th  infantry,  Captain  Walker's 
rangers,  and  a  section  of  Ringgold's  artillery,  under 
Lieutenant  Ridgely.  They  could  not  withstand  the 
iron  torrent  poured  upon  them,  and  retreated  in  confu 
sion.  Colonel  Montero  rallied  a  part  of  the  force,  and 
reformed  them ;  but  his  advance  was  soon  checked  by 
the  3rd  infantry.  Meanwhile,  the  dry  grass  of  the  prai 
rie  had  burst  into  a  blaze,  and  dark,  dense  clouds  of 
smoke  almost  shut  out  the  light  of  day,  and  hung  in 
heavy  festoons  over  the  combatants.  The  enemy's  fire 
now  slackened,  and  they  fell  back  on  the  left  nearer  to 
the  chaparral  in  their  rear. 

The  firing  of  both  armies  ceased  for  nearly  an  hour, 
and  it  was  then  resumed  by  the  Americans,  with  the 
same  terrible  effect  before  witnessed.  General  Taylor 
had  been  steadily  gaining  ground,  and  the  eighteen- 
pounders  occupied  the  position  formerly  held  by  the 
Mexican  cavalry.  The  two  lines  were  nearly  parallel, 
when  the  battle  was  renewed  by  incessant  showers  of 
balls  thrown  from  the  American  batteries.  The  Mexi 
can  fire  was  concentrated,  for  a  few  moments,  on  the 
light  battery  of  the  right  wing,  and  the  eighteen-pound- 


MAJOR  RINGGOLD. 


RETREAT  OF  THE  ENEMY.  Ill 

ers.  Major  Ringgold*  was  mortally  wounded,  while 
directing  his  pieces,  and  Captain  Page,  of  the  4th 
infantry,  which  had  been  ordered  to  the  support  of 
Churchill's  guns,  also  received  a  severe  wound,  under 
which  he  lingered  for  several  weeks,  but  finally  expired. 
The  artillery  companies,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Childs,  were  afterwards  ordered  up  to  defend  the  eigh- 
teen-pounders,  which  was  bravely  done.  The  battalion 
was  formed  in  square  to  receive  the  charge  of  cavalry ; 
but  the  advancing  squadrons  were  scattered  by  a  deadly 
discharge  of  canister  from  the  guns.  A  brisk  fire  of 
small  arms  was  then  opened  on  the  square,  which  was 
silenced  by  a  well-directed  volley. 

Several  attempts  were  made,  in  the  meantime,  to 
turn  the  left  flank,  but  foiled  by  the  vigilance  of  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Belknap,  with  the  8th  infantry,  the  light 
battery,  and  the  dragoons.  Protected  by  the  smoke, 
Captain  Duncan  dashed  upon  a  column,  before  they 
were  aware  of  his  approach,  and  delivered  a  raking 
fire  that  drove  them  from  the  field  with  immense  loss. 
About  half  an  hour  before  sunset,  Captain  May  made 
an  attempt  to  charge  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  but 
was  forced  to  desist  on  account  of  the  inadequacy  of 
his  force. 

Darkness  at  length  separated  the  contending  armies. 
The  enemy  retired  into  the  adjoining  chaparral,  and 
during  the  night  continued  their  retreat  to  a  more 
favorable  position,  still  further  in  the  rear.  They  found 
it  entirely  useless  to  attempt  a  contest  in  the  open  plain. 

*  Major  Ringgold  will  long  be  remembered  by  the  army  and  the 
country,  for  his  accomplishments  as  an  officer.  The  light  artillery,  now 
acknowledged  to  be  one  of  the  most  efficient  arms  of  the  service,  was 
introduced,  and  brought  to  its  high  state  of  perfection,  mainly  tkrough 
his  instrumentality. 

6 


J12  LOSS    OF    THE    TWO    ARMIES. 

Their  artillery  was  shown  to  be  ineffective  against  the 
better-directed  fire  of  the  American  batteries,  and  every 
attempt  to  outflank  General  Taylor's  little  army,  al 
though  their  force  consisted  of  6,000  men,  was  met  by 
skilful  manceuvering.  If  a  demonstration  was  made 
on  the  American  right,  that  wing  half-wheeled  to  the 
left  by  regiments,  and  marched  by  its  right  flank  upon 
a  point  a  little  beyond  the  enemy's  left ;  if  on  the  left, 
that  wing  half-wheeled  to  the  right,  and  marched  by  its 
left  flank  on  a  point  beyond  the  enemy's  right.  When 
the  Mexican  cavalry,  availing  themselves  of  the  open 
spaces  produced  by  these  movements,  prepared  to 
charge,  at  the  instant  the  word  was  given  to  form  by 
companies,  right  and  left,  into  line,  and  barriers  of 
glittering  steel  were  at  once  presented  to  check  their 
progress. 

The  American  loss  in  the  battle  of  the  8th  was  ten 
idlled,  including  the  two  officers,  and  forty-four  wound 
ed.  That  of  the  enemy  was  near  one  hundred  and 
fifty  killed,  and  three  hundred  wounded.*  Worn  out 
and  overcome  with  fatigue,  General  Taylor's  gallant 
army  lay  down  upon  the  field  where  their  courage  had 
been  so  severely  tested,  while  the  dragoons  kept  watch 
around  them,  to  think  over  the  events  of  the  day,  and 
what  the  morrow  might  bring  forth,  and,  perhaps,  to 
dream  of  their  far-off  homes,  and  of  those  who  were 
near  and  dear.  The  night  was  serene  and  beautiful; 
the  early  moon  shed  its  mellow  light  over  the  scene; 
but  that  dark  pall  of  smoke  still  hung  above  the  battle 
field. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  9th,  General  Taylor  or 
dered  his  command  under  arms,  and  called  a  council 

war  to  decide  upon  the  course  it  was  proper  to  pur 

!ii  his  official  dispatch,  Arista  set  down  his  total  loss  at  252. 


RESACA    DE    LA    PALMA.  113 

sue.  Differences  of  opinion  prevailed  ;  some  being  in 
favor  of  returning  to  the  Point ;  others  thinking  it  best 
to  intrench  themselves  in  their  position ;  and  others 
still,  recommending  the  resumption  of  the  march  in  the 
direction  of  Matamoras.  General  Taylor  reconciled 
all  the  differences,  and  closed  the  council,  with  the  em 
phatic  declaration  that  he  would  be  opposite  Matamo 
ras  before  night,  if  he  lived  ! 

Arista  had  not  been  discouraged  by  his  defeat  on  the 
8th,  and  was  determined  to  try  his  fortunes  in  a  second 
engagement.  About  midway  between  the  battle-ground 
at  Palo  Alto  and  the  Rio  Grande,  and  in  the  centre  of 
the  dense  forest  of  chaparral  extending  from  one  point 
to  the  other,  a  distance  of  full  seven  miles,  the  road 
crosses  a  semi-circular  ravine,  with  the  opening  towards 
Point  Isabel,  on  an  elevated  ridge.  Here  it  was  decided 
to  make  another  stand.  Embankments  were  thrown 
up  nearly  breast  high,  and  the  infantry  ranged  in  two 
lines,  one  under  the  front  bank  of  the  ravine,  and  the 
other  behind  the  wall  of  chaparral  on  the  opposite  side. 
A  strong  battery  was  planted  in  the  road,  in  the  centre 
of  the  front  line,  and  two  smaller  batteries  on  either 
side  of  the  ridge,  but  on  the  rising  ground  in  the  rear. 
These  were  supported  by  veteran  infantry  regiments, 
and  the  Tampico  battalion,  a  brave  and  well-appointed 
corps.  Another  battery  was  stationed  on  the  right 
wing  of  the  front  line.  During  the  night,  and  in  the 
morning,  Ansta  had  ordered  up  reinforcements,  until 
his  effective  strength  equalled,  if  it  did  not  exceed,  that 
of  the  previous  day.  The  nature  of  the  ground,  how. 
ever,  deprived  him  of  the  assistance  of  his  cavalry  in  a 
groat  measure  ;  but  this  was  more  than  counterbalanced 
by  the  strength  of  his  position,  surrounded,  as  it  was, 
by  almost  impervious  thickets,  and  the  main  road,  the 


114  THE    BATTLE. 

only  open  space,  completely  covered  by  his  cannon. 
Such  were  the  dispositions  made  by  the  Mexican  gen 
eral  at  the  RESACA  DE  LA  PALMA,*  for  the  reception  of 
the  American  army  on  the  road  to  the  relief  of  the  gar 
rison  opposite  Matamoras. 

General  Taylor  commenced  his  march  about  mid 
day  on  the  9th,  and  on  arriving  at  the  edge  of  the  chap 
arral,  learned  that  the  enemy  were  in  force  upon  the 
road  in  his  front.  The  supply  train  was  secured  at  its 
former  position,  and  protected  by  the  battalion  of  artil 
lery,  except  the  light  companies,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Childs,  and  the  two  eighteen-pounders  of  Lieu 
tenant  Churchill,  with  two  twelve-pounders  which  had 
not  been  in  the  action  of  the  8th.  The  wounded  offi 
cers  and  men  were  at  the  same  time  sent  back  to  Point 
Isabel.  Captain  McCall  was  then  detached  with  the 
light  companies  to  feel  the  enemy.  While  moving 
along,  he  was  suddenly  fired  upon  by  a  masked  battery, 
and  lost  several  of  his  men.  Having  reconnoitred  the 
enemy's  position,  he  fell  back  within  reach  of  support, 
and  sent  word  to  General  Taylor. 

Lieutenant  Ridgely,  who  had  succeeded  to  the  com 
mand  of  Major  Ringgold's  battery,  was  now  ordered  to 
move  forward,  supported  by  the  light  companies.  The 
5th  infantry  and  one  battalion  of  the  4th  were  thrown 
into  the  forest  on  the  left,  and  the  3rd  regiment  and  the 
other  battalion  of  the  4th  on  the  right,  \vith  orders  to 
support  the  battery,  and  engage  the  Mexican  infantry. 
Lieutenant  Ridgely  advanced  at  full  speed,  and  imme 
diately  opened  his  fire.  The  Mexican  batteries  saluted 
him,  in  turn,  with  a  constant  roar,  which  continued 
for  nearly  an  hour.  Most  of  their  balls  flew  over  the 
heads  of  his  men,  otherwise  they  must  have  been  lite- 

*  The  dry  river,  or  ravine,  of  the  Palm. 


CHARGE    OF    CAPTAIN    MAY.  115 

rally  cut  to  pieces.  The  Mexican  infantry  gave  way 
before  the  severe  fire  of  musketry  from  the  American 
line,  but  so  long  as  their  batteries  continued  to  play,  the 
advantage  gained  could  not  be  improved.  But  one 
resource  was  left.  Captain  May  was  ordered  up  with 
his  squadron  of  dragoons,  and  directed  by  General 
Taylor  to  charge  the  battery  in  the  road.  Ranging  his 
men  in  column  of  fours,  the  captain  gave  the  word  to 
follow,  and  away  they  went  with  the  speed  of  the  wind. 
Halting  a  moment,  while  Lieutenant  Ridgely  drew 
the  enemy's  fire,  they  dashed  on  again,  clearing  the 
breastwork,  and  overturning  the  gunners  at  their  posts, 
by  the  resistless  impetuosity  of  their  charge.  The  work 
was  done,  but  the  loss  was  severe.  One  officer,  (Lieu 
tenant  Inge,)  and  nine  men  of  the  squadron,  with  eigh 
teen  horses,  were  killed,  and  ten  men,  and  the  same 
number  of  horses,  severely  wounded.  When  Captain 
May  reined  in  his  steed  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  ra 
vine,  but  six  of  his  men  were  within  call,  the  remainder 
having  been  either  killed,  or  unhorsed,  or  separated  in 
the  confusion  of  the  melee ;  with  these  he  turned  and 
captured  the  Mexican  artillery,  taking  General  La  Vega 
prisoner,  who  had  vainly  endeavored  to  rally  his  men 
to  the  defence  of  their  guns. 

At  the  same  time  with  the  charge  of  the  dragoons,  the 
American  infantry  advanced  towards  the  ravine,  and 
after  a  series  of  desperate  hand-to-hand  encounters,  in 
which  Lieutenant  Colonels  Belknap  and  Mclntosh,* 

*  Colonel  Belknap  was  at  the  head  of  the  8th  infantry,  and,  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  seized  a  Mexican  standard  with  which  he  waved 
his  men  on  to  the  charge.  The  flag  was  soon  after  carried  away  by  a 
ball,  but  he  continued  to  press  on  with  the  staff  still  in  his  hand.  Col 
onel  Mclntosh  was  attacked  by  a  large  body  of  Mexican  lancers  and 
infantry,  in  the  midst  of  the  chaparral.  His  horse  fell  dead  beneath 
bun,  and  he  was  also  thrown  to  the  earth,  and  pinned  down  by  a  bay- 


116  DEFEAT    OF    THE    MEXICANS. 

Captains  Morris,  Montgomery,  Buchanan,  and  Bai  bour, 
particularly  distinguished  themselves,  the  enemy  were 
completely  defeated.  The  Mexican  lancers  were  brought 
up,  and  attempted  to  stem  the  victorious  Americans, 
now  bearing  every  thing  before  them,  but  it  was  all  in 
vain.  The  5th  infantry  drove  off  the  artillerists,  who 
had  returned  to  the  guns  silenced  by  Captain  May,  and 
the  4th  captured  Arista's  camp,  with  his  splendid  pavil 
ion,  his  official  correspondence  and  dispatches,  the  mil 
itary  chest  of  the  army,  and  large  quantities  of  plate. 
The  Tampico  battalion  was  the  last  to  quit  the  field, 
but  they  were  routed,  and  their  tri-colored  standard, 
which  they  had  so  bravely  defended,  became  the  prize 
of  the  victors.  Among  the  spoils  were  eight  pieces 
of  artillery,  several  colors  and  standards,  five  hundred 
pack-saddles ;  stands  of  small  arms,  ammunition-boxes 
and  cartridges,  without  number  ;  and,  what  was  equally 
welcome  to  the  American  soldiers,  an  ample  supper, 
which  the  Mexican  cooks  had  provided  in  anticipation 
of  the  victory  they  expected  to  achieve. 

The  defeat  was  total.  The  battalion  of  artillery, 
Captain  Duncan's  battery,  and  the  dragoons,  pursued 
the  retreating  columns  of  the  enemy  to  the  banks  of  the 
Rio  Grande.  Numbers  of  the  fugitives  were  cut  down 
in  their  flight,  and  when  they  reached  the  river,  it  was 
but  to  experience  the  cruelty  and  ingratitude  of  their 
countrymen.  The  means  provided  for  the  crossing 
were  totally  inadequate,  and  when  the  ilats  were  filled 

onet,  which  entered  his  mouth  and  came  out  behind  his  ear.  Seizing 
the  weapon  with  one  hand,  he  raised  his  sword  with  the  other  to  cut 
down  his  antagonists.  He  was  then  fastened  more  securely  to  the 
ground  by  two  additional  bayonets,  one  passing  through  his  arm,  and 
the  other  through  his  hip.  From  this  position  he  was  fortunately  res 
cued,  and  survived  his  wounds,  temible  and  severe  as  they  were,  hut 
to  fall  on  another  glorious  field. 


GARRISON    IN    THE    FORT    RELIEVED.  117 

with  the  infantry,  the  lancers  charged  down  upon  them, 
and  took  the  places  of  the  occupants,  who  were  driven 
over  into  the  river,  and  drowned.  The  loss  sustained 
by  the  Mexican  army  on  this  occasion  must  have  been 
great — probably  not  less  than  five  hundred  in  killed  and 
wounded.  A  number  of  prisoners  were  also  taken  by 
the  Americans,  and  among  them  were  fourteen  officers. 
General  Taylor's  loss  was  thirty-nine  killed  and  eighty- 
three  wounded. 

On  the  evening  of  the  8th  of  May,  the  long  and  anx 
ious  suspense,  in  which  the  American  garrison  opposite 
Matamoras  remained  during  the  battle  at  Palo  Alto, 
was  terminated  by  the  arrival  of  a  Mexican  fugitive, 
from  whom  they  learned  the  particulars  of  the  conflict. 
They  continued  to  fire  their  eighteen-pounders  at  inter 
vals,  to  inform  General  Taylor  that  all  was  still  well 
with  them.  The  Mexican  batteries  again  opened  on  the 
morning  of  the  9th,  and  kept  up  their  fire  until  the  can 
nonading  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma  was  heard,  when  they 
suddenly  ceased,  having  continued  the  bombardment 
for  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  sixty  hours.  The  gar 
rison  listened  breathlessly  to  the  roar  of  the  artillery, 
and  when  it  paused  they  well  knew  a  charge  had  been 
made.  In  a  short  time  the  flying  Mexicans  came  in 
sight,  followed  by  the  victors  of  the  field,  whose  appear 
ance  was  hailed  with  loud  and  hearty  cheers  from  the 
garrison.  Their  heavy  guns  were  now  turned  upon  the 
Mexicans,  and  aided  to  complete  the  rout  and  over 
throw. 

In  a  single  week,  the  proud  array  with  which  Arista 
had  crossed  the  Rio  Grande,  boasting  of  his  ability  to 
drive  General  Taylor  from  his  position,  and  to  capture 
his  military  stores  and  armament,  had  melted  away  like 
snow  beneath  the  rays  of  a  summer's  sun.  The  inhab- 


118  EFFECT    OF    THE    VICTORIES. 

itants  of  Matamoras  had  seen  their  army  go  forth  to 
battle,  confident  that  they  should  witness  their  return 
with  the  trophies  of  victory.  The  triumphal  festival 
was  in  readiness,  and  wreaths  and  decorations  prepared 
in  honor  of  the  deeds  of  gallantry  and  daring  which 
fancy  pictured  to  their  view.  The  tidings  from  Palo 
Alto  and  Resaca  de  la  Palma  dissolved  all  their  bright 
hopes  and  expectations,  and  filled  their  hearts  with 
sadness  and  sorrow.  Confusion  and  alarm  usurped  the 
places  of  merriment  and  festivity.  Numbers  of  the 
citizens  retired  into  the  country  with  their  effects,  and 
those  who  were  left  behind  awaited  the  capture  of  the 
city,  which  they  anticipated  with  fear  and  anxiety,  but 
were  powerless  to  prevent. 

Had  General  Taylor  been  supplied  with  the  requisite 
means  for  crossing  the  river,  his  army  might  have 
bivouacked  in  the  plaza  of  Matamoras,  on  the  night 
after  the  battle  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  He  had  re 
quested  the  government  to  furnish  him  with  a  ponton 
train  several  months  previous,  but  this  had  been  neg 
lected,  and  he  was  therefore  obliged  to  remain  inactive 
for  several  days. 

But  the  victories  achieved  by  General  Taylor  and 
his  army  were  not  without  their  good  results.  Besides 
effecting  the  complete  expulsion  of  the  Mexican  forces 
from  the  territory  north  of  the  Rio  Grande,  and  con 
vincing  the  world  that  American  valor  and  intrepidity 
did  not  exist  only  in  name,  they  served  to  remove  many 
unfounded,  but  long-cherished  prejudices,  which  existed 
at  home,  and  to  pave  the  way  for  the  brilliant  cam 
paign  that  followed.  The  army  had  been  looked  upon 
by  many  as  an  unnecessary  organization — the  soldiers 
were  said  to  be  inefficient,  and  the  officers  better  fitted 
to  grace  the  salons  of  fashion  and  pleasure,  than  to 


PREJUDICES    DISPELLED.  119 

meet  the  stern  realities  of  the  battle-field.  The  mili 
tary  school  at  West  Point  had  also  received  its  portion 
of  censure,  and  there  were  those  who  termed  it  a  nur 
sery  for  carpet-knights,  instead  of  warriors.  But  how 
soon  were  these  errors  dispelled  when  the  day  of  trial 
came,  and  that  little  band  on  the  Rio  Grande  were  seen 
fighting  their  way,  inch  by  inch,  and  step  by  step,  over 
coming  every  obstacle,  as  if  moved  by  one  mind,  and 
animated  by  one  impulse  ! — how  soon  did  the  American 
people  learn  to  respect  and  admire  the  genius  and  skill 
of  the  brave  men  who  were  instructed  on  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson,  and  imbued  with  the  revolutionary  spirit 
still  lingering  around  the  scenes  where  they  were  nur 
tured  ! 

It  was  fortunate  for  General  Taylor,  fortunate  for 
the  country,  that  the  army  under  his  orders  was  com 
posed  of  regulars  alone,  who  knew  no  such  word  as 
"fail!"  Volunteers  might  have  fought  as  well — their 
bravery  has  been  too  often  tested  to  be  doubted  now — 
but  had  they  faltered,  what  might  have  been  the  result? 
— and  where  the  spirit  of  emulation  that  cheered  and 
encouraged  the  citizen  soldiers,  who  fought  at  Mon 
terey  and  Buena  Vista,  at  Cerro  Gordo  and  Contreras  ? 

On  the  10th  of  May,  the  Americans  buried  their  dead, 
and  an  exchange  of  prisoners  was  effected,  by  means 
of  which  Captain  Thornton  and  his  command  were  re 
covered.  In  honor  of  its  brave  defender,  the  field-work 
opposite  Matamoras  was  called  Fort  Brown ;  and  the 
name  of  Fort  Polk  was  given  to  the  defences  at  Point 
Isabel.  General  Taylor,  accompanied  by  a  small  escort, 
rode  over  to  the  Point  in  perfect  security  on  the  llth, 
to  meet  Commodore  Conner,  who  had  left  Vera  Cruz 
with  his  squadron,  on  receiving  the  information  that  the 
Mexican  troops  were  concentrating  at  Matamoras,  and 


120  EXPEDITION    AGAINST    BURRITA. 

had  now  anchored  off  the  Rio  Grande,  with  the  inten 
tion  of  rendering  such  assistance  to  the  army  as  might 
be  in  his  power.  A  combined  expedition  with  the  naval 
and  land  forces  against  the  Mexican  towns  on  the  river 
was  determined  on,  and  five  hundred  sailors  and  ma 
rines  were  landed  and  organized  under  the  command 
of  Captain  Gregory.  The  movements  of  some  of  the 
old  "  salts"  are  stated  to  have  been  rather  awkward  at 
the  first,  but  they  soon  learned  to  manoeuvre  with  the 
accuracy  and  precision  of  landsmen. 

It  was  reported,  on  the  13th  instant,  that  the  Mexi 
cans  were  collecting  a  large  force  at  Burrita,  a  small 
town  on  the  southern  shore  of  the  Rio  Grande,  situate 
between  Matamoras  and  the  Gulf.  An  expedition  was 
arranged  for  the  capture  of  the  town,  but  in  conse 
quence  of  the  roughness  of  the  bar,  occasioned  by  the 
unfavorable  weather,  the  boats  from  the  squadron  were 
unable  to  enter  the  river  until  the  15th.  On  the  14th 
General  Taylor  returned  to  Fort  Brown  with  over  six 
hundred  men,  mostly  volunteers  from  Louisiana  and 
Alabama,  who  had  just  arrived,  a  train  of  artillery  and 
mortars,  and  two  hundred  and  fifty  wagons  containing 
army  stores.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Wilson  crossed  the 
river  on  the  15th  with  a  battalion  of  the  1st  infantry 
and  three  companies  of  volunteers,  and  took  possession 
of  Burrita  without  encountering  any  resistance. 

General  Taylor  was  unable  to  complete  his  prepara 
tions  for  the  capture  of  Matamoras  until  the  17th  of 
May.  His  arrangements  having  been  perfected  in  the 
morning  of  that  day,  Colonel  Twiggs  was  ordered  to 
cross  above  the  town  with  the  advance,  consisting  of 
the  light  companies  and  regular  and  volunteer  cavalry, 
to  be  followed  by  the  main  body  of  the  army,  while 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Wilson  was  directed  to  move  up 


CAPTURE    OF    MATAMORAS.  121 

the  river  from  Burrita,  and  thus  make  a  diversion 
in  their  favor.  Batteries  were  also  set  and  mortars 
planted,  for  the  purpose  of  bombarding  the  city,  if 
any  attempt  should  be  made  to  defend  it.  Before  the 
army  had  commenced  its  march  up  the  river,  General 
Taylor  was  waited  upon  by  General  Requena,  who  had 
been  authorized  by  General  Arista  to  treat  for  an  armis 
tice  until  the  two  governments  should  finally  settle  the 
questions  in  dispute.  This  was  refused  by  General 
Taylor,  inasmuch  as  he  had  proposed  an  armistice  to 
General  Ampudia,  which  had  not  been  accepted,  and 
now  that  hostilities  had  been  provoked  by  the  Mexi 
cans,  nothing  would  content  him  but  the  surrender  of 
Matamoras,  though  the  Mexican  army  would  be  per 
mitted  to  retire,  but  not  to  take  the  public  property 
with  them.  A  reply  to  the  answer  given  to  General 
Requena  was  promised  in  the  afternoon,  but,  as  it  did 
not  come,  General  Taylor  renewed  his  orders  for  cross 
ing  the  river,  which  were  carried  into  effect.  It  after 
wards  appeared  that  the  proposition  was  only  made  to 
gain  time.  Arista  left  Matamoras  during  the  night  of 
the  17th,  with  his  forces,  and  on  the  following  day  Gen 
eral  Taylor  took  possession  of  the  town  without  moles 
tation. 

The  Mexican  citizens  remaining  in  Matamoras  were 
evidently  inclined  to  look  upon  the  Americans  with  fear 
and  distrust.  But  a  rigid  system  of  police  was  estab 
lished  by  the  direction  of  Colonel  Twiggs,  who  had 
been  appointed  governor  of  the  city,  and  order  and 
regularity  took  the  place  of  the  confusion  which  had 
prevailed.  The  inhabitants  did  not  regard  the  change 
with  indifference,  and  became  at  once  more  friendly  and 
well  disposed.  Several  hundred  wounded  Mexicans 
were  found  in  Matamoras,  and  a  quantity  of  military 


122  PURSUIT  OF  THE    ENEMY. 

stores,  which  had  been  secreted  by  the  enemy  before 
leaving  the  city.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland  was  dis 
patched  with  a  body  of  cavalry,  upon  the  road  taken 
by  the  Mexican  army,  with  orders  to  harass  their  rear. 
He  pursued  their  route  for  sixty  miles,  when  he  returned, 
on  account  of  the  scarcity  of  water  and  the  unfitness 
of  his  horses  to  proceed  further,  having  had  a  slight 
skirmish  with  a  small  party  which  he  captured.  After 
establishing  his  army  in  comfortable  quarters  at  Mata- 
nioras,  General  Taylor  sent  out  a  party  of  the  Texan 
rangers,  under  Captain  McCulloch,  who  entered  Rei- 
no«a,  Camargo,  Mier,  and  Reveilla,  without  opposition. 


LIEUT.  CtL  JNEL  FREMONT. 


CHAPTER  III. 

CALIFORNIA    AND    NEW    MEXICO. 

Fremont's  Expedition — Jealousy  of  the  Mexican  Authorities — Affair  at 
Sonoma — Declaration  of  Independence — The  Pacific  Squadron — 
Capture  of  all  the  prominent  points  in  the  Californias— March  of  the 
Army  of  the  West  from  Fort  Leaven  worth  to  Santa  Fe — Conquest 
of  New  Mexico — Departure  of  General  Kearny  for  California — 
Counter  Revolution — Battle  of  San  Pascual — Passage  of  the  San 
Gabriel — Ciudad  de  los  Angelos — Arrival  of  Troops,  and  complete 
occupation  of  the  Country. 

THE  conquest  of  New  Mexico  and  the  Californias, 
though  bloodless  in  comparison  with  the  military  opera 
tions  conducted  in  other  quarters  of  the  Mexican  re 
public,  and  presenting  but  few  incidents  likely  to  be 
commemorated  "  in  story  and  in  song,"  is  of  too  much 
consequence,  both  with  reference  to  the  geographical 
extent  of  the  territory  overrun,  and  the  commercial 
advantages  which  it  has  been  supposed  would  be  se 
cured  by  its  acquisition,  to  be  entirely  lost  sight  of  amid 
the  more  brilliant  achievements  of  the  war.  There 
were  no  powerful  armies  in  the  field — there  were  few 
victories  won — few  trophies  gained ;  but  our  officers, 
both  of  the  army  and  the  navy,  discharged  the  duties 
they  were  required  to  perform,  faithfully  and  well,  and 
therefore  deserve  to  be  commended.  But  little  resist 
ance  was  offered  to  their  movements,  yet  whenever 
encountered,  it  was  promptly  met,  and  as  promptly  put 
down.  In  addition  to  the  other  important  points  on 


124  THE    SANTA    F£    TRADE. 

the  Pacific  coast,  the  harbor  of  San  Francisco,  asserted 
by  many  of  the  ablest  and  most  experienced  navigators, 
to  be  the  best  and  the  safest  on  the  North  American 
continent,*  now  belongs  to  the  United  States.  Its 
value  as  a  depot  of  refreshments  and  supplies  for  Amer 
ican  whalemen,  and  its  importance  in  connection  with 
the  China  and  East  India  trade,  can  scarcely  be  over 
estimated.  In  the  progress  of  time  it  must  become  to 
our  commerce  with  the  Asiatic  governments,  what  the 
city  of  New  York  now  is  to  that  with  the  countries 
lying  along  the  Mediterranean,  and  the  eastern  shore 
of  the  Atlantic. 

Previous  to  the  war,  the  trade  between  Santa  Fe 
and  the  United  States,  principally  carried  on  through 
the  city  of  St.  Louis,  amounted  annually  to  nearly  two 
millions  of  dollars.  The  profits  realized  by  the  Amer 
ican  citizens,  whose  active  enterprise  had  established 
and  fostered  this  inland  commerce,  early  excited  the 
envy  of  the  Mexican  government,  and  on  the  23rd  of 
September,  1843,  a  decree  was  issued  forbidding  for 
eigners,  after  six  months  from  the  date  of  its  promul 
gation,  from  selling  by  retail  any  goods  within  the  con 
fines  of  Mexico.  One  of  the  objects  of  this  decree 
was,  to  cut  off  the  commerce  between  the  United 
States  and  the  province  of  New  Mexico,  and  compel 
the  latter  to  become  tributary  to  the  towns  on  the  Gulf, 
or  to  secure  to  the  Mexicans  themselves  the  entire  mo 
nopoly  of  the  retail  trade.  It  also  afforded  the  means 
of  gratifying  the  cupidity  of  the  officers  appointed  in 
New  Mexico  by  the  central  government,  and  served  as 
a  cloak  for  imposition  and  extortion.  Evasions  of  the 
ordinance  were  invited  and  connived  at,  only  to  be  fol 
lowed  by  the  most  arbitrary  exactions.  To  such  an 

*  See  Balbi's  Apeg6  de  Geographic. 


FREMONT'S  EXPEDITION.  125 

extent  was  this  carried  by  Manuel  Armijo,  the  gov 
ernor  of  New  Mexico,  prior  to  and  at  the  time  of  the 
commencement  of  the  war,  that,  in  repeated  instances, 
a  duty  of  five  hundred  dollars  was  collected  on  each 
wagon  load  of  goods  belonging  to  American  traders. 
The  permanent  acquisition  of  this  province  will  put  an 
end  to  similar  violations  of  international  comity,  and 
leave  the  trade  free  to  seek  its  natural  channel,  un 
checked  and  unrestrained. 

In  the  fall  of  1845,  Captain  John  C.  Fremont,*  of  the 
corps  of  Topographical  Engineers,  was  dispatched  by 
the  War  Department,  with  a  small  party  of  men,  armed 
and  equipped  for  hunting,  and  for  protecting  themselves 
against  the  Indians,  upon  an  exploring  tour  beyond  the 
Rocky  Mountains,  the  object  of  which  was  to  discover, 
if  possible,  a  new  and  shorter  route  to  the  mouth  of  the 
Columbia  River.  In  order  to  Accomplish  his  purpose, 
he  found  it  necessary  to  enter  the  territory  of  Califor 
nia,  early  in  the  winter  of  1846.  On  the  29th  of  Jan 
uary  he  halted  his  party  about  one  hundred  miles  from 
Monterey,  and  proceeded  alone  to  that  city,  to  explain 
the  object  of  his  visit,  and  to  secure  permission  to  re 
main  during  the  winter  in  the  valley  of  the  San  Joa- 
quim.  General  de  Castro,  the  military  commandant, 
complained,  at  first,  of  the  hostile  appearance  of  the 
party ;  but,  on  being  informed  by  Captain  Fremont  of 
his  rank,  and  of  the  peaceful  object  of  his  visit,  the  de 
sired  permission  was  granted,  apparently  with  great 
cordiality.  The  captain  immediately  returned  and 
brought  his  men  nearer  to  the  city,  when  he  was  ap 
prised  by  Mr.  Larkin,  the  American  Consul,  that  Gen- 

*  This  officer  had  been  previously  distinguished  for  his  scientific  dis 
coveries,  and  his  successful  explorations  of  the  country  in  the  vicinity 
of  the  Rocky  Mountain*. 


126  AN    ATTACK    THREATENED. 

eral  de  Castro  was.  raising  a  large  force  to  attack  him 
He  had  but  sixty-two  men,  and  was  ill  prepared  to  en 
counter  a  body  of  troops  superior  to  his  own,  and  espe 
cially  so  for  the  reason  that  nothing  of  the  kind  had 
been  anticipated. 

Surprised  and  astonished  at  the  treachery  of  the 
Mexican  officer,  and  conscious  that  an  attack  had  nof 
been  provoked  on  his  part,  either  by  his  acts  or  his  in 
tentions,  Captain  Fremont  took  a  position  about  thirty 
miles  from  Monterey,  on  the  summit  of  a  mountain 
range  overlooking  the  town,  where  he  intrenched  him 
self,  and  raised  the  American  flag,  determined,  in  self- 
defence,  to  resist  every  attempt  to  dislodge  him.  De 
Castro  did  not  approach  within  attacking  distance,  but 
remained  in  the  vicinity  for  several  days,  apparently 
threatening  a  movement  on  the  position  occupied  by 
the  little  band.  No  attack  having  been  made,  Captain 
Fremont  marched  out  with  the  intention  of  resuming 
his  journey  towards  Oregon,  on  the  1  Oth  day  of  March. 
Supposing  that  there  was  no  more  cause  for  alarm,  he 
discharged  a  number  of  his  party,  who  wished  to  re 
main  in  the  country,  and  refused  to  receive  others  in 
their  stead,  on  account  of  his  desire'  carefully  to  avoid 
arousing  the  prejudices  or  apprehensions  of  the  Mex 
ican  authorities.  Continuing  his  march  by  slow  de 
grees,  with  de  Castro  following  in  his  rear,  accompa 
nied  by  a  force  of  near  five  hundred  men  ;  and  the 
hostile  Indians,  excited  by  the  latter,  constantly  hover 
ing  in  his  neighborhood,  and  harassing  his  command  ; 
he  reached  the  Great  Tlamath  Lake,  in  the  territory  of 
Oregon,  on  the  15th  of  May.  The  deep  snow  still  lin 
gering  on  the  summits  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  obstructed 
his  further  progress,  and  the  Tlamath  Indians  continued 
to  annoy  him.  While  here  a  courier  arrived,  who  had 


PURSUIT  OF  DE  CASTRO.  127 

I  en  sent  forward  to  say  that  Mr.  Gillespie  and  five 
men  were  endeavoring  to  overtake  him.  Knowing  the 
treacherous  character  of  the  savages  in  the  vicinity,  he 
accompanied  the  courier  on  his  return,  with  ten  men. 
The  distance  to  be  travelled  was  sixty  miles,  and  he 
was  unable  to  come  up  with  the  party  in  one  day. 
His  men  were  fatigued  and  wearied  with  the  ride,  and 
failed  to  keep  guard  during  the  night.  This  neglect 
well  nigh  proved  destructive  to  the  whole  band.  A 
number  of  Tlamath  warriors,  whom  they  had  supplied 
but  a  few  days  before  with  tobacco  and  provisions, 
stole  suddenly  upon  their  encampment,  and  killed  three 
of  the  men,  and  wounded  a  friendly  Delaware.  The 
savages  were  finally  repulsed,  and  Captain  Fremont 
soon  after  returned  to  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  with 
his  whole  party.  While  on  his  way,  he  had  several 
encounters  with  the  Indians,  in  which  both  he  and  his 
men  behaved  with  great  gallantry. 

While  yet  hesitating  what  course  to  adopt,  Captain 
Fremont  was  informed  that  General  de  Castro  was 
rapidly  approaching,  with  the  design  of  cutting  off  his 
party,  and  destroying  or  driving  from  the  country  the 
American  settlers  in  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento.* 
The  security  of  his  men,  and  of  the  inhabitants  who 
had  once  been  his  countrymen,  was  now  placed  in  ex 
treme  jeopardy,  and  it  became  necessary  that  prompt 
and  decided  measures  should  be  instantly  adopted. 
The  permanent  safety  of  the  settlers  appeared  to  de 
pend,  not  merely  on  the  defeat  of  de  Castro,  but  on  the 

*  Captain  Fremont  was  charged  by  the  Mexican  authorities  with  in 
stigating  the  American  settlers  to  revolt.  When  he  occupied  his  in 
trenched  position  overlooking  Monterey,  the  settlers  manifested  a  dispo 
sition  to  take  part  with  him  against  de  Castro,  and  probably  would  have 
done  so  had  he  been  attacked.  This  appears  to  have  been  the  only 
foundation  for  the  charge. 


128  SKIRMISHll^G    NEAR    THE    SAN    FRANCISCO. 

total  overthrow  of  the  Mexican  authority,  and  the 
establishment  of  an  independent  government  in  Cali 
fornia.  On  the  6th  of  June,  1846,  Captain  (now  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel)  Fremont*  determined  to  accomplish 
these  objects.  Boldly  turning  on  his  pursuers,  by  a 
series  of  rapid  movements,  conceived  and  executed 
with  equal  daring  and  skill,  he  soon  drove  the  Mexican 
general  from  that  portion  of  the  territory  north  of  the 
Bay  of  San  Francisco.  On  the  llth  of  June,  a  party 
of  de  Castro's  men,  consisting  of  one  officer  and  four 
teen  privates,  with  two  hundred  horses,  were  surprised 
and  captured  by  twelve  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fre 
mont's  command.  At  daybreak  on  the  15th  instant, 
the  military  post  at  Sonoma  was  taken,  with  nine  brass 
cannon,  two  hundred  and  fifty  stand  of  arms,  a  quan 
tity  of  ammunition,  and  a  number  of  prisoners,  among 
whom  were  Colonel  Vallejo  and  several  other  officers. 
Leaving  a  garrison  of  twelve  men  to  defend  the  post, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont  proceeded  to  the  Rio  de 
los  Americanos,  a  branch  of  the  Sacramento,  to  pro 
cure  assistance  from  the  American  settlers.  Soon  after 
he  reached  there,  an  express  arrived  with  the  informa 
tion  that  de  Castro  was  preparing  to  cross  the  bay  and 
attack  the  post.  This  intelligence  was  received  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  23rd  of  June,  and  he  immediately  re 
turned  with  ninety  mounted  riflemen,  whom  he  had 
collected  in  the  valley.  By  riding  night  and  day,  they 
traversed  the  intervening  distance  of  eighty  miles  be 
fore  two  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  25th.  The 
enemy  had  not  yet  made  their  appearance.  A  party 
of  twenty  men  were  sent  out  to  reconnoitre,  and  fell 
in  with  the  vanguard  of  de  Castro's  force,  consisting 

*  He  was  appointed  a  Lieutenant  Colonel  in  the  regiment  of  mounted 
riflemen,  on  the  27th  of  May,  1816. 


DECLARATION  OF  INDEPENDENCE.         129 

of  seventy  dragoons,  who  had  just  crossed  the  bay.  A 
smart  skirmish  ensued,  which  resulted  in  the  defeat  of 
the  Mexicans,  with  the  loss  of  five  men  in  killed  and 
wounded.  Fremont's  party  were  uninjured.  The 
Mexican  commander,  De  la  Torre,  escaped  with  his 
men,  losing  his  transport  boats  and  his  artillery,  the 
latter  being  spiked. 

Having  succeeded  in  driving  the  Mexicans  from  the 
northern  shore  of  the  bay,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont 
returned  to  Sonoma  on  the  4th  of  July.  On  the  fol 
lowing  day  he  collected  the  Americans  together,  and, 
after  explaining  the  condition  of  things  in  the  territory, 
advised  an  immediate  declaration  of  their  independ 
ence.  This  was  accordingly  made,  and  he  was  select 
ed  to  assume  the  chief  direction  of  affairs.  In  the 
meantime  de  Castro  had  established  himself  at  Santa 
Clara,  an  intrenched  post  on  the  south  side  of  the  bay, 
with  four  hundred  men  and  two  pieces  of  field  artillery. 
An  attack  on  his  position  was  decided  on.  In  order 
to  reach  Santa  Clara,  it  was  necessary  to  make  a  cir 
cuit  of  upwards  of  one  hundred  miles.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Fremont  commenced  his  march  on  the  6th  of 
July,  with  one  hundred  and  sixty  mounted  riflemen, 
and  in  three  days  reached  the  American  settlements  on 
the  fork  of  the  Sacramento.  Here  he  learned  that  de 
Castro  had  abandoned  Santa  Clara,  and  was  retiring  to 
Ciudad  de  los  Angelos,*  the  place  of  residence  of  the 
governor-general  of  the  Californias,  and  about  four 
hundred  miles  south  of  San  Francisco.  Every  thing 
was  prepared  for  continuing  the  pursuit,  when  the  in 
formation  was  received  that  the  war  had  been  com 
menced,  and  that  Commodore  Sloat  had  taken  the 
ports  on  the  Pacific.  The  American  flag  was  now 

*  City  of  the  Angela. 


130  PROCEEDINGS    OF    COMMODORE    BLOAT. 

substituted  for  the  flag  of  independence,  and  the  party 
started  to  overtake  de  Castro.  They  captured  St. 
Johns  on  the  18th  of  July,  a  few  hours  previous  to  the 
arrival  of  Purser  Fauntleroy,  who  had  been  sent  by 
Commodore  John  D.  Sloat  to  hoist  the  flag  of  the 
United  States  at  the  mission,  and  to  recover  some 
cannon  and  munitions  of  war  which  had  been  buried 
by  the  enemy.  In  company  with  the  naval  forces, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont  returned  to  Monterey  on 
the  19th  instant. 

While  lying  off  Mazatlan,  on  the  7th  of  June,  Com 
modore  Sloat,  then  in  command  of  the  Pacific  squad 
ron,  was  informed  that  the  Mexican  troops  had  crossed 
the  Rio  Grande  and  attacked  General  Taylor's  army, 
and  that  the  squadron  under  Commodore  Conner  was 
then  blockading  the  Mexican  ports  in  the  Gulf.  In  ac 
cordance  with  instructions  previously  issued,*  he  sailed 
for  the  coast  of  California,  to  commence  offensive  op 
erations,  on  the  8th  instant,  in  the  frigate  Savannah. 
He  arrived  off  Monterey  on  the  2nd  of  July,  and  on 
the  7th  summoned  the  town  to  surrender.  A  definite 
answer  was  not  returned  to  his  summons  ;  whereupon 
a  body  of  marines  and  sailors  were  landed,  in  order  to 
capture  the  place.  No  resistance  was  offered  ;  and  the 
American  flag  was  raised  in  the  town  without  opposi- 
sition.  On  the  8th,  Commander  Montgomery,  of  the 
sloop  of  war  Portsmouth,  took  possession  of  San  Fran 
cisco  and  the  adjoining  country,  in  the  name  of  the 
government  of  the  United  States.  Commodore  Rob 
ert  F.  Stockton  arrived  at  Monterey,  in  the  frigate 
Congress,  on  the  15th  of  July,  and  on  the  23rd  was 
ordered  to  duty  on  shore. 

*  The  instructions  to  Commodore  Sloat  were  issued  on  the  24th  of 
June,  18-15,  but  did  not  reach  him  until  several  months  afterwards. 


THE    CALIFORNIA    BATTALION.  131 

On  his  arrival  at  Monterey,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fre 
mont  informed  Commodore  Sloat  of  his  proceedings, 
and  of  his  desire  to  capture  the  force  under  de  Castro. 
The  commodore  declined  to  aid  him  in  the  enterprise, 
as  he  was  about  to  return  to  the  United  States,  in  con 
sequence  of  his  enfeebled  health ;  but  when  the  author 
ity  on  shore  was  intrusted  to  Commodore  Stockton,  he 
entered  into  the  project  at  once,  and  gave  it  a  most 
hearty  and  efficient  support.  A  battalion  of  mounted 
riflemen,  consisting  mainly  of  the  American  settlers  in 
California,  was  immediately  formed,  and  the  command 
given  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont,  with  the  rank 
of  major — the  fact  of  his  promotion  being  still  unknown 
in  California.  This  force  was  organized  for  the  pur 
pose  of  co-operating  with  the  marines  and  sailors  em 
ployed  on  the  land  under  the  orders  of  Commodore 
Stockton. 

It  was  understood,  at  this  time,  that  Pio  Pico,  the 
Governor  of  California,  and  General  de  Castro,  the 
military  commandant,  were  near  Ciudad  de  los  Ange- 
los,  at  the  head  of  seven  hundred  cavalry,  well  mounted, 
and  brave  and  expert  horsemen.*  A  threatening  proc 
lamation  had  been  issued  by  the  governor,  denouncing 

*  The  force  under  Pico  and  de  Castro  was  chiefly  composed  of  armed 
Californians,  under  Mexican  leaders.  The  former  are  celebrated  for 
their  skilful  horsemanship,  and  their  dexterity  in  the  use  of  the  lance. 
Their  horses  are  small,  but  remarkably  fleet,  easily  trained,  and  capable 
of  great  endurance.  In  March,  1347,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont, 
with  two  companions,  travelled  on  horseback,  from  Ciudad  de  los  Ange- 
los,  to  Monterey,  and  returned  again  immediately,  at  the  rate  of  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  milrs  in  a  day.  Each  of  the  party  had  three 
horses,  which  were  in  turn,  under  the  saddle.  The  six  loose  horses  ran 
ahead,  without  bridle  or  halter,  and  were  caught  with  the  lasso  when 
required.  At  the  end  of  the  journey  the  horses  were  apparently  as 
fresh  as  ever.  The  riders,  also,  it  may  be  added,  showed  themselves 
capable  of  enduring  extraordinary  hardship  and  fatigue  without  diffi 
culty. 


132  COMMODORE    STOCKTON    AT    SAN    PEDRO. 

the  foreigners  in  the  territory,  and  expressing  his  detei 
mination  to  drive  them  forthwith  from  the  soil  of  Call 
fornia.  On  the  25th  of  July,  the  sloop  of  war  Cyane, 
Captain  Mervine,  sailed  from  Monterey,  with  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Fremont  and  his  battalion,  for  San  Diego, 
to  intercept  the  retreat  of  General  de  Castro,  while 
Commodore  Stockton  was  to  land  at  San  Pedro,  and 
attack  him  in  front.  Commodore  Sloat  gave  up  the 
entire  command  of  the  squadron  to  Commodore  Stock 
ton,  on  the  29th,  and  returned  home.  The  latter  soon 
completed  his  arrangements  for  the  contemplated  at 
tack  on  de  Castro.  He  left  Monterey  on  the  1st  of 
August,  in  the  Congress,  and  arrived  at  San  Pedro, 
about  twenty-eight  miles  from  Ciudad  de  los  Angelos, 
on  the  6th :  having  stopped  at  Santa  Barbara  on  the 
way,  and  taken  possession  of  the  place.  In  the  mean 
time  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont  had  reached  San 
Diego,  and  landed  with  his  battalion,  but  experienced 
great  difficulty  in  procuring  horses.  He  succeeded,  at 
length,  in  mounting  his  men,  and  pushed  forward  in 
the  direction  of  the  enemy,  who  were  encamped  on  the 
Misa,  with  seven  pieces  of  artillery. 

Commodore  Stockton  landed  at  San  Pedro,  with  a 
force  of  three  hundred  and  sixty  sailors  and  marines, 
established  a  camp,  and  commenced  drilling  and  in 
structing  his  men.  Not  being  provided  with  field  artil 
lery,  he  procured  two  or  three  pieces  of  small  ordnance 
from  a  merchant  ship,  and  mounted  them  on  cart 
wheels,  together  with  an  eighteen-pounder  carronade 
ta.ken  from  his  own  ship.  While  engaged  in  making 
these  preparations,  two  commissioners  came  from  the 
camp  of  de  Castro,  with  a  flag  of  truce,  to  enter  into 
negotiations.  The  gallant  commodore  cheerfully  lis 
tened  to  their  propositions ;  but  when  informed  that,  as 


CAPTURE    OF    CIUDAD    DE    LOS    ANGELO8.  133 

a  preliminary  step  to  negotiation,  he  must  pledge  him 
self  to  remain  where  he  was  with  his  forces,  he  instantly 
closed  the  conference,  and  informed  the  commissioners 
that  this  was  out  of  the  question,  and  that  he  "  would 
either  take  the  country,  or  be  whipped  out  of  it !"  One 
of  the  commissioners  returned,  in  a  few  days,  with  a 
letter  from  General  de  Castro,  written  in  the  most  ex 
travagant  language,  and  proclaiming  his  determination 
to  defend  the  territory  to  the  last.  The  commodore 
declined  making  any  reply  to  the  communication,  but 
sent  orders  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont  to  join  him 
on  the  route,  and  commenced  his  march.  Notwith 
standing  his  boastful  declarations,  the  Mexican  general 
wisely  concluded  not  to  risk  an  engagement  with  the 
force  advancing  against  him ;  his  cannon  were  buried ; 
his  men  dispersed ;  and  Governor  Pio  Pico  and  him 
self  fled  to  Sonora  for  safety. 

The  commodore  was  joined  on  his  march  by  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Fremont,  with  his  battalion  of  volunteer 
riflemen,  numbering  one  hundred  and  twenty  men. 
The  retreat  of  the  enemy  was  so  precipitate  that  they 
could  not  overtake  them,  and  they  entered  Ciudad  de 
los  Angelos,  and  took  possession  of  the  government 
house,  without  opposition.  Parties  of  the  riflemen 
were  sent  out  to  capture  the  Mexican  officers  who  had 
headed  the  Californians.*  A  number  of  them  were 
taken,  but  were  allowed  to  go  at  large  on  their  parole. 
Commodore  Stockton  soon  after  issued  his  proclama 
tion,  declaring  the  territory  of  California  to  be  a  part 
of  the  United  States,  by  right  of  conquest,  and  an 
nouncing  himself  as  the  governor  thereof.  Lieutenant 

*  The  inhabitants  of  California  are  principally  of  Indian,  or  mixed 
descent,  and  military  officers  were  sent  from  Mexico  to  take  command 
of  them. 


1S4  TROOPS    SENT    TO    CALIFORNIA. 

Colonel  Fremont  was  appointed  military  commandant 
of  the  territory ;  laws  and  regulations  were  established, 
and  officers  selected  to  enforce  them.  In  the  brief  pe 
riod  of  sixty  days  possession  had  been  taken  of  every 
important  town  in  the  territory,  and  it  \vas  supposed 
that  the  conquest  was  permanently  secured.* 

From  the  necessity  of  the  case,  the  government  of 
the  United  States  relied  upon  the  naval  squadron  in 
the  Pacific  to  commence  offensive  movements  in  Cali 
fornia,  on  the  breaking  out  of  the  war.  It  was  fore 
seen,  however,  that  the  presence  of  a  military  force 
would  be  necessary  to  secure  the  possession  of  the 
country.  Accordingly,  a  company  of  artillery  was 
embarked  from  New  York,  in  August,  1846,  and  fol 
lowed,  in  September,  by  a  regiment  of  volunteer  in 
fantry,  under  Colonel  Stevenson. f  On  the  arrival  of 
these  troops,  and  of  General  Kearny  with  such  part  of 
his  force  as  could  be  spared  from  New  Mexico,  it  was 
expected  that  the  command  on  shore  would  be  assumed 

*  The  instructions  issued  to  the  officers  commanding  the  Pacific 
squadron  contemplated  the  establishment  of  a  temporary  civil  govern 
ment  in  California,  but  did  not  authorize  any  political  rights  to  be  con 
ferred  on  the  inhabitants  ;  leaving  it  for  the  event  of  the  war  to  deter 
mine,  whether  the  jurisdiction  thus  assumed,  as  an  incident  to  the 
conquest,  should  be  permanent. — Letter  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy, 
June  14,  1847.— Special  message  of  President  Polk,  2nd  session,  29th 
Congress. 

t  The  regiment  of  volunteers  commanded  by  Colonel  Stevenson,  was 
raised  upon  the  condition  that  they  should  be  discharged,  wherever 
they  might  be,  at  the  termination  of  the  war,  provided  it  was  in  a  terri 
tory  of  the  United  States.  Men  were  selected  to  compose  it,  under  the 
instructions  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  who  would  be  likely  to  remain  in 
Oregon,  or  in  that  quarter  of  the  country,  in  order  that  the  authority 
of  the  United  States,  if  the  territory  of  California  should  be  perma 
nently  acquired  by  the  terms  of  a  treaty  of  peace,  might  be  more  read 
ily  maintained,  through  the  instrumentality,  if  necessary,  of  the  American 
•ettlors. 


GENERAL  KEARNY. 


THE  ARMY  OF  THE  WEST.  135 

by  the  officers  of  the  army,  and  that  the  naval  squadron 
would  enforce  the  blockade.  Instructions  to  this  effect 
were  issued  from  the  Navy  Department,  hut  did  not 
reach  the  commanding  officer  of  the  Pacific  squadron 
until  February,  1847.*  The  company  of  artillery  ar 
rived  in  California  in  tho  same  month,  and  the  regiment 
under  Colonel  Stevenson  in  March  following. 

On  the  30th  day. of  June,  1846,  General  Kenrny, 
who  had  been  assigned  to  the  command  of  '*  the  Army 
of  the  West,"  left  Fort  Leavenworth  with  a  force  of 
about  1,000  men,  on  his  march  towards  New  Mexico. 
Before  entering  the  enemy's  territory,  he  was  reinforced 
by  a  battalion  of  Mormon  emigrants,  on  their  way  to 
Oregon  or  California,  who  were  mustered  into  the  ser 
vice  of  the  United  States,  and  placed  under  the  com 
mand  of  Major  Cooke,  of  the  2nd  dragoons.  With 
this  and  other  additions,  his  army  was  subsequently  in 
creased  to  near  1,900.  The  regular  dragoons,  com 
manded  by  Major  Sumner,  were  but  two  hundred 
strong ;  the  remainder  of  the  force  was  composed  of 
volunteers.  A  large  part  of  the  latter,  however,  were 
mounted  men,  and  many  of  them,  in  addition  to  their 
ordinary  arms,  were  provided  with  knives  and  revolv 
ing  pistols.  Their  artillery  consisted  of  eight  long 
brass  six-pounders,  and  two  twelve-pounder  howitzsrs. 

Pursuing  the  military  road,  the  Army  of  the  West 
crossed  the  grassy  prairies  lying  between  the  Missouri 
and  Kansas  rivers,  and  clothed  at  this  season  of  the 
year  in  the  richest  verdure,  and  gemmed  with  count 
less  flowers,  of  every  shape  and  hue.  On  the  4th  of 
July  they  struck  the  main  road  leading  from  Independ 
ence  to  Santa  Fe,  at  Elm  Grove,  and  were  soon  upon 

*  See  the  Proceedings  of  the  Court  Martial  for  the  trial  of  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Fremont 


130  THE    GREAT    PR  UKIE. 

the  Great  Prairie,  extending  to  the  north  and  to  the 
south,  to  the  east  and  to  the  west,  miles  on  miles,  the 
same  monotonous  plain,  for  ages  the  pasture-ground  of 
the  elk  and  the  buffalo,  and  its  solitary  echoes  woken 
but  rarely  by  the  sound  of  human  voices.  Occasion 
ally  their  path  was  crossed  by  a  small  stream  murmur 
ing  softly  along  on  its  way  to  mingle  its  waters  with 
those  of  the  mighty  river  of  the  West ;  and  the  fresh 
green  foliage  of  the  timber  skirting  its  banks  would 
form  a  most  agreeable  contrast  to  the  short  dry  grass 
of  the  intervening  waste,  broken  only  here  and  there 
by  small  tufts  of  bushes,  or  giving  place  to  sandy  bar 
rens,  still  more  cheerless  and  uninviting.  The  parties 
of  Indians  whom  they  discovered  on  the  prairie  avoid 
ed  their  track,  and  the  buffalo  fled  at  their  approach. 
Their  appearance,  however,  enlivened  the  scene,  and 
it  was  a  relief  even  to  encounter  the  habitations  of  the 
prairie-dogs,  whose  burrows  teemed  with  an  unnum 
bered  progeny.  At  sunset  they  were  cheered  by  the 
breeze  which  swept  over  the  plain,  refreshing  them 
with  its  cool  breath,  after  a  day  of  weary  travel  ;  but 
very  often  when  they  lay  down  to  rest,  the  mournful 
howl  of  the  gray  wolf,  who  roamed  about  the  encamp 
ment,  was  the  only  lullaby  to  which  they  listened. 

The  army  reached  the  Arkansas  on  the  19th  of  July, 
and  continued  their  march  along  its  northern  bank  to 
Bent's  fort,*  a  small  post  established  for  trading  with 
the  Indians,  where  they  arrived  near  the  close  of  the 
month.  This  was  the  rendezvous  of  the  different  de 
tachments,  and  large  quantities  of  stores  had  been  sent 
here  to  await  their  arrival.  Having  refreshed  his  men 

*  This  post  is  574  miles  from  Fort  Leavenworth.  It  was  established 
by  George  and  Charles  Bent,  the  latter  of  whom  was  appointed  Gov 
ernor  of  New  Mexico  by  General  Kcarny. 


GENERAL    KEAHNY    IN    NEW    MEXICO.  137 

by  a  short  halt,  and  supplied  himself  with  mules  to 
draw  the  artillery,  instead  of  the  horses  which  were 
completely  worn  down  in  the  march,  General  Kearny 
proceeded  on  his  route.  After  leaving  the  valley  of 
the  Arkansas  the  country  became  more  mountainous. 
The  road  lay  over  the  spurs  of  the  Cordilleras,  between 
the  head  waters  of  the  Cimmaron  and  Canadian  rivers, 
and  those  of  the  Rio  Grande.  The  first  range  which 
they  crossed  was  the  Raton.  The  scene  presented 
from  its  summit  is  described  as  being  of  great  sublim 
ity.*  To  the  northwest  was  Pike's  Peak,  the  highest 
point  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  north  of  the  city  of  Chi 
huahua  ;  while  to  the  south  and  west  were  tall  moun 
tain  ridges,  some  covered  with  evergreens,  but  most  of 
them  mere  masses  of  rock,  entirely  destitute  of  wood, 
here  glistening  like  silver  in  the  sunlight,  and  there 
"grim,  old,  and  gray,"  as  the  ruins  of  antiquity.  To 
those  who  gazed  upon  them,  it  was  easy  to  fancy  they 
often  saw  in  the  distance  the  turrets  and  donjon  keep 
of  a  feudal  castle,  with  the  banners  of  its  lord  streaming 
proudly  in  the  wind  from  the  time-worn  battlements ; 
and  further  on,  the  tottering  spire,  the  crumbling 
arch,  and  broken  nave,  of  some  old  cathedral  fallen  to 
decay. 

General  Kearny  arrived  at  the  Lower  Moro,  the 
first  Mexican  town  upon  the  road  to  Santa  Fe,  on  the 
13th  of  August,  and  at  the  Upper  Moro,  on  the  follow 
ing  day.  At  the  latter  point  there  was  a  fort  which 
had  been  occupied  by  a  small  party  of  soldiers,  who  had 
retired  on  the  approach  of  the  American  army.  At 
each  village  through  \vhich  he  passed,  General  Kearny 
directed  the  alcalde  to  take  the  oath  of  allegiance  to 

*  Journal  of  Lieut.  Emory. 


138  CAPTURE    OF    SANTA    PJ&. 

the  United  States,  and  assured  him  and  the  citizens 
generally,  that  their  persons,  property  and  religion, 
would  be  sacredly  respected. 

While  at  the  Upper  Moro,  the  scouts  sent  out  by 
General  Kearny  reported  that  the  enemy  were  in 
force  at  the  Moro  Pass,  a  defile  among  the  mountains 
about  a  mile  distant  from  the  village.  On  arriving 
there  his  men  were  drawn  up  in  battle  array,  and  prep 
arations  made  to  dislodge  the  Mexican  forces.  Just 
as  the  army  were  advancing,  the  general  was  informed 
that  the  enemy  had  retreated  to  the  Pecos  Pa«te,  a  re 
markably  strong  position  still  further  in  the  ^ar.  At 
this  place  the  canon,  or  valley,  is  contracted  to  a  nar 
row  gorge  not  more  than  twenty  yards  wide,  through 
which  the  road  passes  on  a  shelf  of  rock  jutting  out 
from  the  cliffs,  which  rise  almost  perpendicular,  seve 
ral  hundred  feet  high,  on  each  side  of  the  pass.  Gov 
ernor  Armijo  had  collected  here  between  three  and 
four  thousand  men,  with  an  apparent  determination  to 
dispute  the  passage  with  the  American  army.  At  the 
top  of  the  ascent  he  planted  his  artillery,  which  raked 
the  road,  and  were  protected  by  a  breastwork  of  felled 
trees.  The  mountain  barriers  securely  guarded  his 
flanks,  and  the  position  could  only  have  been  taken  by 
a  coup  de  main.  With  resolute  defenders  it  might 
have  been  the  Thermopyla3  of  New  Mexico ;  but  Ar 
mijo  and  his  officers  concluded  to  abandon  it  without 
firing  a  single  gun  in  its  defence,  and  retired  in  hot 
haste  to  Chihuahua.  General  Kearny  passed  through 
the  defile,  and  entered  the  city  of  Santa  Fe,  the  capital 
of  New  Mexico,  on  the  18th  of  August,  without  en 
countering  the  least  resistance.  Proceeding  to  the 
governor's  house  he  took  formal  possession  of  the  city 
and  province.  The  American  flag  was  hoisted  in  the 


CIVIL    GOVERNMENT    ESTABLISHED.  139 

plaza,  and  a  salute  of  thirteen  guns  fired  in  honor  of 
the  bloodless  conquest  which  had  been  achieved.* 

On  the  23rd  of  August  General  Kearny  issued  his 
proclamation,  declaring  the  department  of  New  Mexico 
to  be  a  part  of  the  United  States,  absolving  the  inhab 
itants  from  their  allegiance  to  the  Mexican  republic,  and 
claiming  them  as  American  citizens.  A  civil  govern 
ment  was  organized,  and  the  proper  officers  appointed. f 

The  citizens  of  Santa  Fe  appeared  quite  down 
hearted  and  dispirited  for  several  days  after  the  arrival 
of  the  American  army ;  but  General  Kearny  took 
every  opportunity  to  pacify  them,  and  adopted  the 
most  rigorous  measures  to  prevent  the  commission  of 
any  injury  to  their  persons  or  property  by  his  troops. 
Their  apprehensions  gradually  disappeared,  and  it  was 
not  long  before  it  seemed  to  be  a  matter  of  indifference 
what  rulers  exercised  authority  over  them,  provided 
they  could  dispose  of  their  choice  Muscatel  grapes, 
their  melons  and  peaches,  their  corn  and  red  peppers, 
to  good  advantage,  and  be  allowed  to  drink  their  wine 
or  coffee,  and  smoke  their  cigaritos,  undisturbed.  In 
order  that  no  excesses  or  outrages  should  be  committed, 
atid  that  the  efficiency  of  the  army  might  remain  un- 

*  The  whole  distance  from  Fort  Leavenworth  to  Santa  Fe,  travelled 
by  the  American  army  in  six  weeks,  was  883  miles. 

•f  General  Kearny  was  authorized  to  establish  a  temporary  civil 
government  in  New  Mexico,  and  all  his  measures  designed  to  promote 
this  object  were  approved  by  the  government  of  the  United  States ;  but 
so  far  as  he  attempted  to  confer  any  political  rights  of  a  permanent  char 
acter,  his  course  was  disapproved.  His  absolving  the  inhabitants  of 
New  Mexico  from  their  allegiance,  if  it  had  any  effect,  simply  amounted 
to  a  declaration  that  while  the  authority  of  his  government  was  exerted 
in  the  province,  and  they  refrained  from  taking  up  arms,  they  would 
not  be  treated  as  enemies. — Letter  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  General 
Kearny,  January  11,  1847.— Special  Message  of  President  Polk,  2nd 
session,  29th  Congress. 


140  DEPARTURE    FOR    CALIFORNtA. 

impaired,  the  coffee-house  keepers  were  forbidden  to 
sell  liquor  to  the  American  soldiers,  and  gaming  of 
every  kind  was  prohibited.*  Order  and  quiet  were 
established,  and  every  thing  wore  a  peaceful  and  con 
tented  aspect. 

Early  in  September  General  Kearny  made  a  recon 
naissance  down  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  accom 
panied  by  750  men.  He  passed  through  San  Domingo, 
Albuquerque  and  Valencia,  as  far  as  Tomae,  about  one 
hundred  miles  below  Santa  Fe,  from  whence  he  re 
turned,  without  discovering  any  evidences  of  a  desire 
to  resist  his  authority.  A  party  of  fifty  men  were  soon 
after  sent  to  the  north  to  bring  in  some  Apache  chiefs, 
with  whom  a  treaty  was  formed  on  favorable  terms. 
The  conquest  of  the  province  having  been  effected, 
and  tranquillity  perfectly  restored,  General  Kearny 
appointed  Charles  Bent  governor  of  the  territory,  and 
departed  for  California  on  the  25th  of  September,  at 
tended  by  Major  Sumner  with  300  of  the  1st  dragoons. 
Proceeding  down  the  river  to  Albuquerque  he  crossed 
over  to  the  right  bank,  and  continued  his  way  south 
until  the  5th  of  October,  when  he  met  an  express  sent 
by  Commodore  Stockton  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fre 
mont,  who  reported  that  they  were  already  in  posses 
sion  of  the  Californias,  and  that  the  war  was  ended  in 
that  quarter.  On  receiving  this  welcome  intelligence 
he  directed  Major  Sumner  to  return  with  200  of  the 
dragoons,  reserving  the  remainder  as  an  escort  for  him- 

*  The  inhabitants  of  New  Mexico  are  inveterate  gamesters,  and  pas 
sionately  devoted  to  their  favorite  "  monte."  As  in  California,  the  great 
majority  are  the  descendants  of  the  ancient  Aztec  tribes.  Those  of 
Spanish  descent  are  comparatively  few,  yet  they  treat  the  Indian  popu 
lation,  though  more  numerous  than  themselves,  rather  like  serfs  than 
fellow-citizens. 


COUNTER    REVOLUTION.  141 

self.  Following  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande  for  the 
distance  of  two  hundred  and  thirty  miles  below  Santa 
Fe,  he  there  left  the  river,  and  marched  westward,  by 
the  way  of  the  Copper  Mines,  to  the  Rio  Gila,  where 
he  arrived  on  the  20th  instant.  He  then  proceeded 
down  this  stream  to  its  junction  with  the  Colorado  of 
the  West,  a  distance  of  five  hundred  miles  ;  halting  but 
two  days  on  the  road,  at  the  village  of  the  Pefios  In 
dians,  to  obtain  provisions  and  recruit  his  horses.  His 
course  now  lay  down  the  Colorado  for  forty  miles,  and 
thence  sixty  miles  across  the  southern  extremity  of  the 
great  desert  of  California.*  His  long  and  toilsome 
march  terminated  on  the  2nd  of  December,  when  he 
entered  one  of  the  frontier  settlements  of  the  territory. 
Hearing  that  a  counter-revolution  had  taken  place  in 
the  Californias,  he  dispatched  a  messenger  to  Commo 
dore  Stockton,  with  a  letter  requesting  that  a  party 
might  be  sent  out  to  open  a  communication  with  him. 
Without  waiting  for  a  reply,  he  moved  forward  cau 
tiously,  and  was  met  on  the  5th  instant,  about  forty 

*  "  This  immense  plain,  the  existence  of  which  was  until  very  re 
cently  wholly  unknown,  is  situated  in  the  central  part  of  Upper  or  New 
California.  It  is  limited  on  the  north  by  a  mass  of  rocks,  which  sepa 
rate  it  from  the  head  waters  of  the  Lewis  river,  on  the  west  by  an  irreg 
ular  chain  of  mountains,  extending  in  parallel  ridges  along  the  shores  of 
the  Pacific  ocean,  on  the  east  by  the  western  branches  of  the  Colorado, 
and  on  the  south  by  the  valley  of  the  Colorado.  Its  area  is  equal  to 
that  of  Virginia,  and  consists  of  an  elevated  plateau  or  table  land, 
flanked  on  all  sides  by  descents  more  or  less  inclined,  according  to  their 
geological  structure.  *  *  *  It  presents  little  less  than  an  arid  sur 
face,  broken  at  intervals  by  a  few  detached  mountains,  of  limited  ex 
tent,  but  rising  in  some  instances  above  the  region  of  perpetual  HIOW. 
From  these  mountains  small  streams  flow  during  the  rainy  seasons.  On 
reaching  the  plains,  these  torrents  instantly  disappear  in  the  sand,  leav 
ing  no  other  trace  of  their  existence  than  the  fragments  of  rocks  and 
other  debris,  which  are  borne  down  by  the  currents,  and  deposited  at  the 
bases  of  the  hills."— Re-issue,  American  Family  Magazine,  Part  14. 


142  REVOLT    IN    THE    CAPITAL. 

miles  from  San  Diego,  by  a  detachment  of  California 
volunteers,  and  carbineers  from  the  Congress,  with  a 
field-piece,  under  Captain  Gillespie,  from  whom  he 
learned  the  particulars  of  the  attempted  revolution. 

Commodore  Stockton  left  Ciudad  de  los  Angelos, 
with  his  sailors  and  marines,  on  the  2nd  of  September, 
and  proceeded  to  San  Francisco,  at  which  place  ht 
designed  to  make  arrangements  for  an  attack  on  Ma* 
zatlan  and  Acapulco,  in  conjunction  with  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Fremont.  The  latter  joined  him  on  the  12th 
of  October,  with  170  men  of  his  battalion,  having  left 
Captain  Gillespie  with  a  small  party  in  command  at 
the  capital.  The  expedition  immediately  started  ;  the 
Commodore  sailing  with  his  force  for  San  Pedro,  in 
the  Congress ;  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont  in  a 
vessel  chartered  for  the  purpose,  intending  to  land  at 
Santa  Barbara. 

No  sooner  had  the  greater  part  of  the  American 
forces  been  withdrawn  from  the  vicinity  of  the  capital, 
than  symptoms  of  a  revolt  began  to  be  manifested.  The 
inhabitants  did  not  appear  willing  to  acquiesce  at  once 
in  this  sudden  change  of  their  government,  and  the 
disaffected  were  encouraged  to  make  resistance  by  the 
Mexican  officers  still  in  the  territory.  An  appeal  to 
arms  was  determined  on,  and  a  body  of  the  enemy, 
numbering  five  or  six  hundred,  took  the  field  under  the 
command  of  General  Flores.  Captain  Gillespie  was 
besieged  in  the  government  house  and  forced  to  capit 
ulate,  having  obtained  permission,  however,  to  retire 
with  his  men  on  board  the  Savannah,  then  lying  off 
San  Pedro.  Captain  Mervine,  in  command  of  the 
frigate,  promptly  landed  a  portion  of  his  crew,  and 
marched  towards  the  capital.  He  met  a  party  of  the 
enemy  with  one  piece  of  artillery,  a  short  distance 


RISING    AT    SANTA    BARBARA.  143 

from  San  Pedro,  whom  he  attacked.  Being  without 
artillery,  and  finding  it  impossible  to  capture  that  of 
the  enemy,  on  account  of  the  speed  of  their  horses 
which  they  attached  to  the  piece  whenever  a  charge 
was  attempted,  he  returned  to  the  vessel,  having  lost 
several  men  in  killed  and  wounded. 

About  the  time  that  these  insurrectionary  move 
ments  commenced,  an  armed  Mexican  schooner,  the 
Malek  Adhel,  appeared  on  the  coast,  and  was  cap 
tured  by  the  sloop  of  war  Warren.  A  rising  also  took 
place  at  Santa  Barbara,  which  was  put  down  without 
difficulty ;  the  enemy  appearing  to  concentrate  their 
forces  between  San  Diego  and  the  capital,  with  the  de 
sign  of  making  their  principal  effort  in  that  quarter. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont  found  that  he  would  be 
unable  to  mount  his  command  at  Santa  Barbara,  and 
therefore  landed  at  Monterey.  After  considerable  de 
lay  he  succeeded  in  providing  horses  for  his  men,  and 
set  out  towards  the  capital.  In  the  meantime,  Com 
modore  Stockton  had  left  San  Pedro,  and  sailed  for 
San  Diego,  which  he  found  to  be  threatened  by  the 
enemy.  The  body  of  sailors  and  marines  whom  he 
had  before  employed  on  shore,  and  who  cheerfully  per 
formed  the  duties  of  cavalry,  infantry  and  artillery,  as 
occasion  required,  were  landed  forthwith,  and  prepara 
tions  commenced  for  re- subjugating  the  country  in  an 
effectual  manner.  Matters  were  in  this  position  when 
General  Kearny  arrived  in  the  territory. 

On  his  way  to  join  General  Kearny,  Captain  Gil- 
lespie  learned  that  there  was  an  armed  party  of  Cali- 
fornians,  with  a  number  of  extra  horses,  at  San  Pascual, 
about  three  leagues  distant  on  another  road  leading  to 
San  Diego.  Lieutenant  Hammond  was  sent  forward 
with  a  party  in  the  evening  to  make  a  reconnaissance. 


144  SKIRMISH    AT    SAN    PASCUAL. 

He  returned  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  Gth 
of  December,  and  reported  that  he  had  discovered  the 
enemy,  who  had  seen  but  did  not  pursue  him.  At 
break  of  day  the  whole  force  was  in  motion.  Captain 
Johnston  led  the  advance  guard  of  twelve  dragoons 
mounted  on  the  best  horses ;  then  followed  fifty  dra 
goons  under  Captain  Moore,  most  of  whom  were 
mounted  on  the  mules  which  they  had  ridden  from 
Santa  Fe,*  Captain  Gillespie's  volunteers,  two  moun 
tain  howitzers  managed  by  dragoons,  and  commanded 
by  Lieutenant  Davidson;  the  rest  of  the  troops,  in 
cluding  the  men  from  the  squadron  under  Lieutenant 
Beall  and  Passed  Midshipman  Duncan,  remained  in  the 
rear  with  the  baggage,  under  the  direction  of  Major 
Swords. 

At  the  dawn  of  day  they  approached  the  enemy, 
who  were  already  in  the  saddle.  They  proved  to  be 
a  body  of  men,  about  160  strong,  under  Andre  Pico, 
brother  of  the  late  governor.  Captain  Johnston  charged 
furiously  upon  them  with  the  advance,  followed  by  the 
remainder  of  the  dragoons.  They  could  not  meet  the 
shock,  arid  gave  way  in  a  few  moments ;  General 
Kearny,  with  Captain  Moore  and  the  mounted  men, 
were  soon  in  hot  pursuit.  The  Californians  were  well 
mounted,  and  discovering  that  a  part  of  the  Americans 
had  become  separated  from  their  companions,  turned 
like  lightning  upon  them.  For  five  minutes  the  ground 
was  fiercely  contested,  the  enemy  inflicting  terrible 
wounds  with  their  long  lances,  and  displaying  no  little 
dexterity  and  promptness  in  their  manoeuvres.  On  the 
approach  of  the  remainder  of  General  Kearny's  force, 
they  abandoned  the  field,  carrying  away  most  of  their 
dead  and  wounded, — only  six  being  left  behind  them. 

*  The  distance  travelled  from  Santa  Fe  was  1,050  miles. 


GENERAL    KEARNY    REINFORCED.  14ft 

General  Kearny  was  unable  to  bring  his  howitzers  into 
action,  in  consequence  of  the  mules  before  them  be 
coming  frightened  and  unmanageable. 

The  affair  at  San  Pascual  was  of  brief  duration,  but 
spirited,  and  attended  with  the  loss  of  several  valuable 
officers.  Captain  Johnston  fell  at  the  commencement 
of  the  action,  and  Captain  Moore  and  Lieutenant  Ham 
mond  were  lanced  when  the  enemy  turned  upon  them. 
General  Kearny  himself  received  two  severe  lance 
wounds.  The  total  loss  was  three  officers  killed,  and 
four  wounded ;  sixteen  privates  killed,  and  eleven 
wounded. 

On  the  following  morning  General  Kearny  buried 
his  dead  and  provided  ambulances  for  the  wounded, 
when  the  march  was  resumed.  The  enemy  appeared 
on  the  hills  in  their  front,  but  retired  on  their  approach,  to 
San  Bernardo,  where  they  took  possession  of  a  hill  and 
seemed  inclined  to  make  a  stand.  The  advance  drove 
them  from  this  position,  killing  and  wounding  five  of 
their  number,  without  loss  to  themselves.  The  situa 
tion  of  his  command  General  Kearny  now  found  to  be 
hazardous  in  the  extreme.  A  number  of  them  were 
wounded ;  they  were  but  ill  provided,  and  surrounded 
by  enemies,  evidently  watching  an  opportunity  to  cut 
off  the  whole  party.  Orders  were  therefore  given  to 
encamp,  and  an  express  dispatched  to  Commodore 
Stockton  for  assistance.  Lieutenant  Gray  was  sent 
forward  by  the  Commodore  from  San  Diego,  with  215 
men,  and  joined  General  Kearny  on  the  llth  instant. 
Thus  reinforced  the  General  arrived  at  San  Diego  on 
the  next  day  without  again  encountering  the  enemy. 

Every  thing  being  in  readiness  for  the  movement  on 
Ciudad  de  los  Angelos,  which  Commodore  Stockton 
had  projected,  at  his  request  General  Kearny  asssumed 


146  PASSAGE    OF    THE    SAN    GABRIEL. 

the  command  of  the  expedition ;  the  Commodore  him 
self  accompanying  the  troops  on  their  march.  The 
total  strength  of  the  force  was  500  men,  consisting 
of  60  mounted  dragoons  under  Captain  Turner,  50 
California  volunteers,  and  the  remainder  marines  and 
sailors,  with  a  strong  battery  of  artillery.  The  march 
was  commenced  on  the  29th  of  December,  and  con 
tinued  without  interruption  until  the  8th  of  January, 
1847,  when  the  enemy  appeared  in  force  on  the  heights 
which  commanded  the  crossing  of  the  San  Gabriel. 
They  numbered  600  mounted  men,  with  four  pieces  of 
artillery,  under  the  command  of  General  Flores.  A 
strong  party  of  skirmishers  were  thrown  forward  in 
front  of  the  American  line,  and  the  whole  force  crossed 
the  river,  pressing  on  firmly  and  steadily  under  a  severe 
fire,  stormed  the  heights,  and  drove  the  enemy  from 
their  position,  after  an  action  of  about  an  hour  and  a 
half.  The  heavy  artillery  was  pushed  in  the  advance 
when  they  began  to  waver,  and  completed  the  rout. 
A  charge  upon  the  American  left  flank  was  once  at 
tempted,  but  the  enemy  were  quickly  repulsed. 

The  American  forces  proceeded  towards  the  capital 
on  the  9th  instant,  and  again  met  the  enemy  on  the 
plains  of  Misa  near  the  city.  Their  artillery  opened^ 
but  did  not  check  the  advance  of  the  Americans.  The 
fire  was  returned  with  spirit.  A  constant  skirmishing 
was  continued  for  two  hours,  at  the  end  of  which  time 
the  enemy  made  an  unsuccessful  effort  to  charge,  and 
finally  moved  off,  carrying  with  them  their  killed  and 
wounded.  In  these  two  actions  the  Americans  lost  but 
one  man  killed,  and  thirteen  wounded.  The  brave 
tars  from  the  national  vessels  proved  as  efficient,  during 
the  whole  march  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles,  as 


CAPITULATION    OF    THE    INSURGENTS.  147 

their  companions  who  belonged  to  the  army,  and  vied 
with  them  in  the  display  of  courage  and  endurance. 

The  Americans  entered  the  capital  of  the  Californias 
on  the  10th  of  January,  and  on  the  13th  the  leaders  of 
the  revolt  capitulated  at  Couenga  to  Lieutenant  Colo 
nel  Fremont,  who  was  on  his  way  from  Santa  Barbara 
with  400  men  and  four  pieces  of  artillery,  after  having 
suppressed  the  attempted  rising  in  that  quarter  of  the 
territory.  The  enemy  surrendered  their  artillery,  and 
with  the  exception  of  an  occasional  emeute,  quite  lim 
ited  in  extent,  submitted  peaceably  to  the  authority  of 
the  American  officers.* 

A  serious  disagreement  between  Commodore  Stock 
ton  and  General  Kearny  in  relation  to  their  respective 
powers,  interrupted  the  harmony  which  had  character 
ized  their  previous  intercourse,  soon  after  they  entered 
Ciudad  de  los  Angelos.  The  dispute  originated  in  the 
indefinite  character  of  their  instructions  ;  the  conquest 
of  California  having  been  achieved  before  those  of  a 
more  positive  nature  had  reached  them.  This  was  not 
contemplated,  it  would  seem,  by  either  the  Navy  or 
the  War  Department,  and  produced  a  great  deal  of  ill- 
feeling  and  animosity.  Both  officers  claimed  the  right 
to  exercise  the  chief  command.  On  the  16th  of  Jan 
uary  Commodore  Stockton  appointed  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Fremont  governor  of  the  territory,  who  accepted 
the  office,  and  continued  to  exercise  its  functions  until 
the  month  of  March,  although  General  Kearny  insisted 
that  the  power  in  fact  belonged  to  himself  exclusively. 
Commodore  Stockton  \vas  relieved  by  Commodore 
W.  Branford  Shubrick  in  the  month  of  February,  and 

*  On  the  arrival  of  the  Mormon  battalion  under  Major  Cooke,  in  Jan 
uary,  1847,  the  Californians  manifested  a  disposition  to  attack  them,  but 
were  finally  quieted. 


148  ARRIVAL    OF    TROOPS. 

returned  over  land  to  the  United  States.  Commodore 
Shubrick  was  succeeded  in  a  few  days  by  Commodore 
James  Biddle,  who  arrived  on  the  2nd  of  March,  and 
assumed  the  chief  command.  More  definite  instruc 
tions  had  now  been  received,  and  the  presence  of  a 
larger  military  force  enabled  General  Kearny  to  main 
tain  his  rights  as  the  commanding  officer  on  shore. 
The  naval  commanders  thereafter  voluntarily  confined 
themselves,  under  their  orders,  to  the  enforcement  of 
the  blockade,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont  was 
superseded  in  his  authority  as  governor.* 

On  the  arrival  of  the  New  York  regiment  under  Colo 
nel  Stevenson,  it  was  distributed  among  the  different 
posts,  and  the  territory  constituted  into  a  military  de 
partment.  General  Kearny  remained  in  command 
until  the  31st  of  May,  when  he  returned  home  ;  being 
succeeded  by  Colonel  Mason,  of  the  1st  dragoons,  as 
the  commanding  officer  of  the  department. 

*  For  the  particulars  of  this  controversy,  see  the  Proceedings  of  the 
Court  Martial  for  the  trial  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Fremont,  held  at 
Washington  in  the  winter  of  1847-48.  The  finding  of  the  Court  fully 
sustained  the  position  assumed  by  General  Kearny,  that  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Fremont  had  been  guilty  of  mutiny  and  disobedience  of  orders. 
A  majority  of  the  Court,  however,  deemed  the  case  one  not  requiring  a 
severe  punishment,  especially  in  view  of  the  meritorious  services  of  the 
accused,  and  the  sentence  was  remitted  by  the  President.  Believing 
that  he  had  acted  in  entire  good  faith,  the  Lieutenant  Colonel  resigned 
his  commission,  which  terminated  his  connection  with  the  army. 


GENERAL  ARISTA. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MONTEREY. 

Censure  of  General  Arista — Arrival  of  Volunteers  on  the  Rio  Grande- 
Proclamation — Difficulty  in  procuring  Transportation  and  Supplies- 
Advance  of  the  Army — Encounter  at  Ramos — Defences  of  Monterey 
— Skirmish  at  San  Jeromino — Storming  of  Federacion  Hill  and  thfc 
Soldada — Diversion  in  the  lower  part  of  the  Town — The  Enemy's  line 
of  defence  penetrated — Terrible  slaughter  among  the  Assailants — Cap 
ture  of  the  Bishop's  Palace— The  Americans  in  the  City— Street-fight 
ing — Capitulation. 

IN  addition  to  the  mortification  of  defeat,  General 
Arista  was  fated  to  experience  the  bitterness  of  the 
truth,  that  the  unsuccessful  warrior  rarely  finds  sym 
pathy  among  those  whom  he  has  vainly  endeavored  to 
serve.  Heroes  are  but  too  often  the  creatures  of 
chance,  and  "  a  breath  unmakes  them,  as  a  breath  has 
made."  The  government  of  Paredes  had  not  enter 
tained  the  idea  that  the  army  under  General  Taylor 
would  dare  to  cope  with  the  well-appointed  legions 
which  had  been  sent  into  the  field ;  they  were  ignorant 
of  the  spirit  that  animated  the  American  soldiers;  they 
did  not  know,  that  ere  the  flag  of  their  country  should 
have  trailed  in  defeat,  not  one  would  have  been  left 
to  witness  its  humiliation. 

After  leaving  Matamoras,  Arista  retired  with  the 
remnant  of  his  army  to  the  vicinity  of  Linares,  and 
subsequently  to  the  city  of  Monterey.  Pickets  were 
thrown  out  on  the  road  to  Matamoras,  in  anticipation 


150  THANKS    TO    THE    ARMT. 

of  a  general  pursuit.  This  was  not  attempted  by  the 
American  commander,  and  the  enemy  were  allowed  to 
collect  their  scattered  forces  at  Monterey  entirely  un 
molested.  Arista  was  severely  censured  by  his  supe 
riors,  and  relieved  from  his  command.  Galling  under 
the  rebuke,  and  never  being  particularly  friendly  to  the 
elevation  of  Paredes,  he  attempted  to  produce  another 
revolution  in  public  affairs.  His  reverses  had  alienated 
the  army,  in  a  great  measure,  and  he  wras  unable  to 
secure  their  co-operation.  The  design,  therefore,  could 
not  be  carried  into  effect,  and  he  retired  to  his  ha 
cienda  near  Monterey,  refusing  to  obey  the  summons 
directing  him  to  repair  to  the  capital.  On  the  16th  of 
June,  1846,  Paredes  was  regularly  chosen  to  the  Pres 
idency,  and  a  change  was  made  in  the  officers  com 
manding  the  forces  on  the  northern  frontier.  General 
Arevalo  was  ordered  to  Monterey,  and  General  Am- 
pudia  to  San  Luis  Potosi,  to  collect  reinforcements,  and 
be  in  readiness  to  relieve  any  point  that  might  be 
menaced  by  the  American  army.  Proclamations  were 
at  the  same  time  issued  by  Paredes,  exhorting  the 
Mexican  people  to  make  greater  exertions,  and  promis 
ing  them  certain  success  for  the  future. 

Congratulations  were  liberally  showered,  from  every 
quarter  of  the  Union,  upon  the  army  of  occupation,  for 
their  gallant  achievements  on  the  banks  of  the  Rio 
Grande.  The  captured  standards  and  colors  brought 
to  Washington  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Payne,  of  the 
4th  artillery,  acting  Inspector-general  of  the  army,  who 
had  been  disabled  at  Resaca  de  la  Palma,  were  de 
posited  among  the  national  archives.  The  thanks  of 
Congress,  and  of  the  people  in  their  public  meetings, 
were  freely  tendered.  General  Taylor  was  rewarded 
with  the  brevet  of  Major  General,  and  soon  after  re- 


PROCLAMATION    TC    THE    MEXICANS.  151 

ceived  a  full  commission  of  the  same  rank,  in  pursuance 
of  a  law  authorizing  the  appointment  of  an  additional 
officer  of  that  grade.  The  volunteers  enlisted  under 
the  act  of  Congress  were  sent  forward  to  the  Rio 
Grande  as  expeditiously  as  possible,  and  early  in  the 
month  of  June  the  army  under  General  Taylor  num 
bered  not  fa:*  from  9,000  men.* 

In  anticipation  of  a  movement  towards  the  interior 
of  the  enemy's  country,  General  Taylor  caused  a  proc 
lamation  prepared  at  the  War  Department,  and  trans 
lated  into  the  Spanish  language,  to  be  circulated  among 
the  Mexican  people,  in  order  to  apprize  them  of  the  ob 
jects  for  which  the  war  was  prosecuted,  and  the  manner 
in  which  it  would  be  conducted. f  The  first  and  most 

*  The  general  officers  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  volunteers 
were  William  O.  Butler  of  Kentucky,  and  Robert  Patterson  of  Pennsyl 
vania.  Major  Generals-  and  Gideon  J.  Pillow  of  Tennessee,  Thomas 
L.  Hamer  of  Ohio,  John  A.  Quitman  of  Mississippi,  Thomas  Marshall 
of  Kentucky,  Joseph  Lane  of  Indiana,  and  James  Shields  of  Illinois, 
Brigadier  Generals.  Generals  Butler  and  Patterson  were  officers  in  the 
army  during  the  last  war  with  Great  Britain,  and  the  former,  then  a 
member  of  General  Jackson's  staff,  was  highly  commended  for  his  gal 
lantry  at  the  battle  of  New  Orleans.  Governor  J.  Pinckney  Henderson 
of  Texas,  acted  as  Major  General  of  the  volunteers  from  that  state. 

•(•  "  We  come  to  obtain  reparation  for  repeated  wrongs  and  injuries; 
we  come  to  obtain  indemnity  for  the  past,  and  security  for  the  future; 
we  come  to  overthrow  the  tyrants  who  have  destroyed  your  liberties ; 
but  we  come  to  make  no  war  upon  the  people  of  Mexico,  nor  upon  any 
form  of  free  government  they  may  choose  to  select  for  themselves.  It  is 
our  wish  to  see  you  liberated  from  despots,  to  drive  back  the  savage 
Camanches,  to  prevent  the  renewal  of  their  assaults,  and  to  compel 
them  to  restore  to  you  from  captivity  your  lont;  lost  wives  and  children. 
Your  religion,  your  altars,  your  churches,  the  property  of  your  churches 
and  citizens,  the  emblems  of  your  faith  and  .ts  ministers,  shall  be  pro 
tected,  and  remain  inviolable.  Hundreds  of  our  army,  and  hundreds 
of  thousands  of  our  citizens,  are  members  of  the  Catholic  Church.  In 
every  state,  and  in  nearly  every  city  and  village  of  our  Union,  Catholic 
churches  exUt,  and  the  priests  perform  their  holy  functions  in  peace  and 


8 


152     DIFFERENT  KOUTE3  INTO  THE  INTERIOR. 

important  point  to  be  secured,  after  the  capture  of 
Matamoras,  was  the  city  of  MONTEREY,*  situated  at  the 
base  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  at  a  point  where  all  the 
principal  approaches  from  the  Rio  Grande  concen 
trated,  and  commanding  the  main  pass  through  the  wall 
.of  mountains,  the  only  road  practicable  for  artillery 
leading  to  the  heart  of  Mexico.  Two  routes  lay  open 
for  the  choice  of  General  Taylor ;  the  one  to  leave 
the  river  at  Matamoras,  and  follow  the  track  of  the 
retreating  Mexicans  through  the  interior ;  and  the 
other  to  proceed  up  the  Rio  Grande  as  far  as  Mier, 
and  then  take  the  road  through  Seralvo  and  Marin. 
The  first  was  almost  entirely  destitute  of  subsistence ; 
on  the  second  there  was  but  a  limited  supply  ;  and  an 
army  moving  in  either  direction  would  be  compelled 
to  depend  t>n  its  principal  depots  upon  or  near  the  Rio 
Grande.  But  by  pushing  his  supplies  up  the  river, 
General  Taylor  found  he  could  establish  a  depot  much 
nearer  to  Monterey  than  the  position  at  Matamoras, 
besides  being  more  convenient  to  the  route  by  way  of 

security  under  the  sacred  guaranty  of  owr  Constitution.  We  come 
Kmong  the  people  of  Mexico  as  friends  and  republican  brethren,  and 
all  who  receive  u*  as  such,  shall  be  protected,  whilst  all  who  are  se 
duced  into  the  army  of  your  dictators  shall  be  treated  as  enemies.  We 
shall  want  from  you  nothing  but  food  for  our  army,  and  for  this  yon 
shall  always  be  paid  in  cash  the  full  value.  It  is  the  settled  policy  of 
your  tyrants  to  deceive  you  in  regard  to  the  character  and  policy  of  our 
government  and  people.  Those  tyrants  fear  the  example  of  our  free  in 
stitutions,  and  constantly  endeavor  to  mis-represent  our  purposes,  and 
inspire  you  with  hatred  for  your  republican  brethren  of  the  American 
Union.  Give  us  hut  the  opportunity  to  undeceive  you,  and  you  will 
Boon  learn  that  all  the  representations  of  Parades  were  false,  and  were 
only  made  to  induce  you  to  consent  to  the  establishment  of  a  despotic 
government." — Extract  from  the  Proclamation  addressed  to  the  Mexi 
can  nation. — House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  (p.  15,}  2nd  session,  29tb 
Congress. 
*  The  King  of  the  Mountain. 


TRANSPORTATION    AND    SUPPLIES.  153 

Seralvo  and  Marin.  He  therefore  decided  to  pursue 
that  route,  as  it  would  require  less  transportation  by 
land,  and  to  establish  his  main  depot  at  Camargo.* 

The  Rio  Grande  has  been  very  properly  termed, 
"  the  muddiest,  crookedest,  and  swiftest  river  in  North 
America."  The  channel  is  constantly  shifting,  and  the 
navigation  obstructed  by  so  many  sand-bars,  that  it  is 
difficult  for  the  smallest  steamboats  to  proceed  further 
up  than  Reinosa,  except  in  high  water.  Notwithstand 
ing  the  efforts  made  by  the  Quartermaster's  Depart 
ment  to  forward  supplies  for  the  army,  and  procure 
suitable  boats  to  navigate  the  river,  most  of  which  had 
to  be  obtained  in  the  United  States,  and  at  remote  dis 
tances  from  the  seaboard,  it  was  not  until  the  month 
of  August  that  General  Taylor  was  able  to  move  for 
ward  with  his  troops.  The  causes  of  this  delay  were 
various,  and,  in  most  cases,  could  not  well  have  been 
avoided.  In  some  instances  requisitions  were  not 
made  in  due  season ;  in  others  the  contractors  failed  to 
fulfil  their  obligations ;  and  in  others  still,  the  officers 
of  the  bureau  may  have  been  at  fault,  although  the  of 
ficial  correspondence  of  General  Jesup,  the  Quarter 
master-general,  and  his  subordinates,  shows  that  they 
labored  most  assiduously  in  the  performance  of  their 
duties.f 

*  Camargo  is  situated  at  the  mouth  of  the  San  Juan,  on  its  southern 
shore,  and  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande.  It  is  48  miles  above 
Reinosa,  and  93  from  Matamoras. 

f  In  September,  1840,  General  Jesup  asked,  and  obtained  leave  to 
join  the  army  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  remained  there  and  at  New  Or 
leans  for  several  months,  constantly  employed  in  the  duties  of  his  office. 
After  this  time,  there  was  less  complaint  in  regard  to  the  want  of  trans 
portation  and  supplies. — See  Correspondence  of  Quartermaster's  Depart. 
ment,  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  1 19,  (pp.  250,  et.  seq.)  2nd  session,  29th 
Congress. 


154  SICKNESS    AMONG    THE    VOLUNTEERS. 

Had  General  Taylor  been  in  a  situation  to  advance 
with  a  large  army,  immediately  after  the  capture  of 
Matamoras,  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  Monterey  might 
have  been  taken  without  the  least  difficulty,  and,  per 
haps,  without  striking  a  single  blow.  At  first  blush 
this  would  seem  to  have  been  a  most  desirable  result; 
but  a  moment's  reflection  will  suggest  an  important 
consideration  decidedly  opposed  to  such  a  conclusion. 
The  history  of  the  war,  as  conducted  in  the  provinces 
of  California  and  New  Mexico,  presents  one  truth  in 
bold  and  strong  relief, — which  is,  that  something  more 
than  the  occupation  of  an  enemy's  territory  by  an 
armed  force  apparently  sufficient  to  overawe  the  in 
habitants,  is  necessary  to  constitute  an  effectual  con 
quest.  General  Taylor  might  have  overrun  the  whole 
country  between  the  Rio  Grande  and  the  Sierra  Ma- 
dre,  and  yet  there  have  been  no  safety  for  his  army,  if 
separated  into  detachments,  until  the  enemy  had  con 
centrated  their  forces,  and  there  had  been  a  fair  trial  of 
strength  in  the  field.  To  conquer  a  people  at  home, 
on  their  own  soil,  their  moral  energies  must  be  pros 
trated,  and  that  can  only  be  done  by  a  defeat.  The 
loss  before  Monterey  was  severe,  but  was  it  not  better 
thus,  than  that  the  valley  of  the  San  Juan  should  have 
been  deluged  with  the  blood  of  American  soldiers  lulled 
into  SL  false  security,  and  unprepared  for  the  sudden 
onslaught  of  Mexican  guerilleros  a~id  raicheros  ? 

After  the  arrival  of  the  volunteers,  and  while  waiting 
for  boats  to  navigate  the  river,  General  Taylor  wisely 
directed  that  the  troops  should  be  thoroughly  drilled 
and  disciplined.  The  sickly  season  came  on  before  he 
proceeded  up  the  Rio  Grande,  and  large  numbers  of 
the  volunteer  corps  were  swept  away  by  the  noxious 
vapors  of  the  tierra  caliente,  aggravated,  no  doubt,  in 


ADVANCE    FROM    THE    RIO    GRANDE.  155 

their  influence,  by  the  irregular  habits  formed  in  the 
camp  by  those  who  were  unaccustomed  to  this  new 
mode  of  life.  Notwithstanding  the  interference  of 
General  Taylor,  and  the  adoption  of  more  stringent 
regulations,  the  causes  of  this  mortality  were  never 
wholly  removed,  though  they  were  ultimately  checked 
to  a  great  extent. 

The  army  commenced  moving  towards  Monterey 
early  in  August.  General  Taylor  arrived  at  Camargo 
on  the  8th  instant,  and  on  the  17th,  General  Worth* 
marched  for  Seralvo,  with  the  first  brigade  of  his  di 
vision,  followed  by  the  second  brigade  on  the  25th. 
The  spy  companies  had  previously  been  thrown  for 
ward,  but  had  not  found  the  enemy  posted  in  force  on 
either  side  of  the  San  Juan.  On  the  llth  of  August, 
a  party  of  sixty  Mexicans,  armed  with  carbines,  and 
well  supplied  with  ammunition,  were  captured  and 
brought  into  Camargo.  Captain  McCulloch,  with  his 
company  of  fifty  men,  discovered  a  body  of  irregular 
cavalry,  over  one  hundred  strong,  at  China,  and  made 
his  dispositions  to  attack  them,  but  they  prudently 
avoided  an  engagement. 

On  the  4th  of  September,  General  Taylor  received 
a  dispatch  from  General  Worth,  informing  him  that 
Ampudia  had  arrived  at  Monterey  with  reinforce 
ments  ;  that  the  Mexican  cavalry  were  supposed  to  be 
at  Caiderita ;  and  that  General  Canales  was  at  Marin 
with  600  men,  and  had  his  advance  at  Papayallos  on 
the  road  to  Seralvo.  On  the  following  day,  the  re 
maining  divisions  of  the  army  commenced  the  march ; 

*  General  Worth  was  in  Washington  when  the  intelligence  was  re 
ceived  that  hostilities  hod  commenced  on  the  Rio  Grande,  and  had  al 
ready  handed  in  his  resignation.  He  promptly  withdrew  it  and  returned 
to  the  seat  of  war,  resuming  the  command  of  his  division  on  the  28th 
of  May. 


156  STRENGTH    OF    THE    ARMY. 

the  Texas  cavalry,  under  General  Henderson,  being 
sent  round  by  China  and  Caiderita,  with  orders  to  join 
the  main  army  at  Marin  ;  and  General  Taylor,  with 
the  rest  of  his  forces,  crossing  the  San  Juan  at  Camargo, 
and  moving  forward  by  the  other  road  to  Serai vo. 

The  entire  strength  of  the  army  destined  for  the  re 
duction  of  Monterey,  was  about  6,600,  nearly  one-half 
of  whom  were  regulars,  whose  coolness  and  constancy 
in  battle  were  not  to  be  questioned.  But  few  of  the 
volunteers  had  ever  been  in  an  engagement ;  but  they 
were  all  brave  and  ambitious,  well  disciplined,  and  de 
termined  to  accomplish  something  that  would  reflect 
honor  on  the  country  to  which  they  belonged,  and  to 
follow,  in  all  things,  the  bidding  of  the  leader  under 
whose  banner  they  marched,  to  fight  and  to  conquer. 
General  Patterson  \vas  left  in  command  on  the  Rio 
Grande,  with  near  3,000  men.  A  portion  of  these 
troops  might  have  been  added  to  the  main  column  un 
der  General  Taylor,  but  he  was  convinced  that  it  would 
be  impracticable  to  sustain  a  larger  body  of  men,  in 
consequence  of  the  deficiency  in  transportation.  He 
was  forced  to  depend  upon  the  resources  of  the  coun 
try,  and  it  was  with  great  difficulty  that  he  procured  a 
sufficient  number  of  pack  mules  to  carry  the  necessary 
supplies  for  his  men  on  the  march.* 

*  The  main  army  was  organized  by  General  Taylor  into  three  divis 
ions  : — the  lirst,  under  General  Twiggi,  consisting  of  four  companies  of 
the  2nd  dragoons.  Lieutenant  Colonel  May,  and  Captain  Ridgely's  bat 
tery ;  Captain  Bragg's  battery,  3rd  infantry,  Major  Lear  and  4th  in 
fantry,  Major  Allen,  forming  the  third  brigade  of  regulars,  and  com 
manded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland;  and  the  1st  infantry,  Major 
Abercrombie,  and  the  Baltimore  and  Washington  battalion,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Watson,  forming,  the  fourth  brigade,  commanded  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Wilson ;  the  second  division,  under  General  Worth,  consisting 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan's  battery,  the  artillery  battalion,  Lieu- 


SKIRMISH    AT    KAMO3.  157 

The  army  halted  for  a  few  days  at  Serai vo,  where  a 
depot  was  established.  The  first  division  resumed  the 
march  on  the  13th  of  September,  and  was  followed,  on 
successive  days,  by  the  other  divisions  ;  the  troops  be 
ing  provided  with  eight  days'  rations,  and  forty  rounds 
of  ammunition.  The  advance,  consisting  of  McCul- 
loch's  rangers,  Captain  Craham's  drngoons,  and  a  small 
body  of  pioneers  and  engineers,  marched  early  on  the 
12th.  The  roads  were  generally  hard  and  level,  but 
occasionally  crossed  by  a  deep  gully,  which  required 
some  preparation  to  fit  it  for  the  passage  of  artillery. 
From  Papnyallos  the  advance  were  always  in  sight  of 
the  Mexican  pickets,  who  retired  slowly  before  them. 
On  the  14th,  the*  rangers  encountered  a  body  of  two 
hundred  cavalry  at  Ramos.  Dashing  furiously  upon  the 
enemy,  they  routed  them  in  an  instant,  and  drove  them 
rapidly  through  the  town.  They  entered  Mann,  near 
the  San  Juan,  on  the  next  day,  and  there  found  General 
Torrejon,  with  1,OGO  cavalry,  who  were  drawn  up  in 
the  principal  street,  their  bright  and  new  esconetas  and 

tenant  Colonel  Childs,  and  8th  infantry,  Captain  Scrivncr,  forming  the 
first  brigade,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Staniibrd ;  and  Lieu 
tenant  Mackall's  battery,  5th  infantry,  Major  M.  Scott.  7th  infantry.  Ca,'»- 
tain  Miles,  and  Captain  Blanchard'a  company  of  Louisiana  volunteers, 
forming  the  second  brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  P.  F.  Smith,  of  t!i3 
mounted  riflemen ;  and  the  third,  or  volunteer  division,  under  General 
Butler,  consisting  of  the  1st  Kentucky  regiment,  Colonel  Ormsby.  and 
1st  Ohio  regiment.  Colonel  Mitchell,  forming  the  first  brigade,  com 
manded  by  General  Hamer;  and  the  1st  Tennessee  regiment,  Colonel 
Campbell,  and  Mississippi  regiment,  Colonel  Davis,  forming  the  second 
brigade,  commanded  by  General  Quitman.  Thu  Tt-xns  division,  con 
sisting  of  the  1st  and  2nd  regiments  of  mounted  volunteers,  under  Colo- 
ntLs  Hays  and  Wood,  was  commanded  by  General  Henderson,  and  de 
tached,  as  occasion  required,  to  co-operate  with  the  other  divisions.  The 
artillery  consisted  of  one  ten-inch  mortar,  two  twenty-four  pounder 
howitzers,  in  charge  of  Captain  Webster,  with  a  coaipany  of  artillery 
detached,  and  four  light  field  batteries  of  four  guns  each. 


158  THE    TEXAN    RANGERS. 

lances  glowing  with  sunbeams,  and  their  gay  scarlet 
uniforms  presenting  a  most  brilliant  appearance.  The 
Mexicans  were  soon  in  great  commotion,  and  fancying 
that  General  Taylor's  army  was  about  pouncing  down 
upon  them  from  the  neighboring  hills,  retreated  in  haste 
towards  Monterey,  without  firing  a  single  gun. 

It  was  not  unusual,  on  the  march  from  the  Rio 
Grande,  to  behold  the  most  decided  evidences  of  terror 
and  apprehension  among  the  Mexican  inhabitants,  and 
more  particularly  whenever  they  caught  sight  of  the 
Texan  rangers,  with  their  wide-brimmed  sombreros 
shading  the  swarthy  countenances  whose  ferocity  was 
enhanced  by  their  long  beards  and  mustachios, — each 
man's  belt  garnished  with  revolvers,  the  deadly  rifle 
slung  over  his  shoulder,  and,  still  fresh  in  his  heart,  the 
recollections  of  Salado  and  the  Alamo.*  The  husband 
man  would  shrink  behind  the  covert  of  muskeet  bushes 
lining  the  roadside,  while  his  wife  and  daughters,  with 
their  dark  eyes  half-veiled  beneath  the  drooping  lashes, 
and  swimming  with  tears,  and  their  clear  olive  com 
plexions  blanched  in  affright,  would  press  their  tremb 
ling  lips  to  the  glittering  crosses  suspended  from  their 
necks,  and  hurriedly  murmur  forth  a  fervent  prayer  to 

*  Besides  performing  other  important  services,  the  Texan  volunteers, 
or  rangers,  were  found  by  General  Taylor  to  be  of  great  assistance  as 
ecouts  and  vedettes.  They  were  skilful  horsemen,  and  had  learned 
many  of  the  arts  of  the  Indian  warriors.  It  was  said  of  the  regiment  of 
Colonel  Hays,  that  there  were  few  of  its  members  who  could  not  pick  a 
silver  dollar  from  the  ground,  when  at  full  speed,  or  shelter  themselves 
from  the  fire  of  an  enemy,  without  dismounting,  by  wheeling  their 
horses  to  either  flank,  and  throwing  their  bodies  behind  them.  They 
were  armed  with  short  rifles,  revolving  pistols,  and  sabres ;  and  in  mak 
ing  a  charge,  were  instructed  to  fire  first  with  the  rifle,  then  to  discharge 
their  pistols  while  advancing  on  a  gallop,  and  to  complete  the  work  with 
the  sabre.  A  body  of  men,  thus  equipped  and  drilled,  would  be  formi 
dable  enough  on  an  open  plain. 


APPEARANCE  OF  THE  COUNTRY.         159 

11  our  Lady  of  Gaudalupe,"  to  protect  and  shield  them 
from  the  invader.  But  when  the  army  under  General 
Taylor  came  upon  the  track  of  the  Mexican  cavalry, 
they  found  that  the  poor  and  inoffensive  inhabitants  had 
been  stripped  of  their  property,  or  compelled  to  wit 
ness  its  destruction,  in  order,  as  they  were  assured,  that 
no  supplies  might  be  left  on  the  route  for  the  enemy ; 
and  los  buenos  Americanos  were  repeatedly  entreated 
to  save  them  from  the  cruelty  of  Torrejon  and  the 
rancheros. 

The  different  corps  of  the  American  army  were 
concentrated  at  Marin,  107  miles  from  Camargo,  and 
within  24  miles  of  Monterey,  on  the  17th  of  Septem 
ber.  Early  in  the  morning  of  the  18th,  they  were 
again  in  motion.  In  case  the  enemy  were  met  in  force 
on  the  march,  the  line  of  battle  was  ordered  to  be 
formed,  with  the  first  division  on  the  right,  the  second 
division  on  the  left,  and  the  volunteer  division  in  the 
centre.  After  leaving  Marin,  the  country  appeared 
much  more  fertile  than  between  that  town  and  the  Rio 
Grande.  The  valleys,  irrigated  by  the  mountain 
streams,  abounded  in  the  most  luxuriant  vegetation ; 
there  were  large  fields  of  corn  and  sugar  cane,  tempt 
ing  patches  of  melons,  gay  parterres  of  tropical  flow 
ers,  groves  of  figs  and  olives,  with  an  occasional  thicket 
of  chaparral,  whose  dark  foliage  added  a  great  deal 
to  the  beauty  of  the  landscape ;  and  the  soft  breeze 
that  sighed  among  the  jagged  cliffs  of  the  Sierra  Madre, 
01  rippled  the  waters  of  the  San  Juan,  was  laden  with 
the  fragrance  of  the  wild  rose  and  the  jasmine,  the 
orange  and  the  pomegranate. 

Numerous  copies  of  proclamations  issued  by  General 
Ampudia,  repeating  the  inducements  to  desert  offered 
to  the  American  soldiers  opposite  Matamoras,  were 


160  CAMP    AT    WALNUT    SPRINGS. 

found  scattered  along  the  road  to  Monterey.  This  was, 
indeed,  a  most  singular  mode  of  warfare,  but  it  appears 
to  have  been  the  one  brilliant  idea  conceived  by  the 
Mexican  generals,  in  their  own  estimation,  if  we  may 
judge  by  the  pertinacity  with  which  they  adhered  to 
it  during  the  continuance  of  the  war. 

The  American  army  lay  at  San  Francisco  during 
the  night  of  the  18th,  and  arrived  before  Monterey  on 
the  10th.  The  Mexicans  had  destroyed  a  bridge  on 
the  road,  but  its  place  was  soon  supplied  with  corn 
stalks  from  a  neighboring  field,  and  the  troops  crossed 
over  with  their  baggage  and  artillery  without  difficulty. 
General  Taylor  selected  a  position  for  his  encampment, 
at  Walnut  Springs,  in  a  grove  of  walnut  trees,  about 
three  miles  from  the  city,  and  then  rode  forward  with 
the  general  and  staff  officers  to  reconnoitre.  They 
were  accompanied  by  a  detachment  of  dragoons  and 
Texan  rangers,  and  on  approaching  within  a  few  hun 
dred  yards,  were  fired  upon  by  the  enemy's  batteries. 
A  number  of  shot  were  thrown,  but  without  doing  any 
injury.  A  body  of  Mexican  cavalry  also  made  then 
appearance  on  the  plain,  but  after  firing  a  volley  from 
their  escopetas  they  retired  into  the  town.  The 
American  soldiers  manifested  considerable  impatience, 
because  they  could  not  advance  against  the  enemy  at 
once.  The  information  which  General  Taylor  had 
been  able  to  obtain  in  regard  to  the  defences  of  the  city, 
and  the  strength  of  the  garrison,  was  quite  limited,  and 
the  confidential  messengers  whom  he  employed,  appear 
either  to  have  deceived  him,  or  to  have  been  them 
selves  deceived.*  He  was  not  strong  enough  to  invest 
the  city,  and  was  not  provided  with  a  siege  train,  hav- 

*  See  Correspondence,  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  (pp.  130, 139 
2nd  session,  29th  Congress. 


c*  a 
2-   > 


THE    CITY    OF    MONTEREY.  161 

ing  only  the  ten-inch  mortar  that  could  be  of  any 
especial  service.  He  was  aware,  therefore,  that  the 
place  must  be  carried  by  assault,  but  determined  not  to 
advance  hastily,  or  without  proper  precautions.  The 
engineer  officers  were  directed  to  make  the  necessary 
examinations,  and  in  order  that  the  army  might  be  pre 
pared  for  any  sudden  attack,  the  men  were  directed  to 
sleep  on  their  arms. 

The  city  of  Monterey  was  originally  founded  more 
than  two  centuries  ago.  It  is  the  capital  of  the  State 
of  New  Leon,  and  is  situated  on  the  left  bank  of  the 
Arroyo*  San  Juan,  a  small  branch  of  the  main  river 
of  the  same  name,  which  winds  down  the  pass  leading 
to  Saltillo,  and  after  encircling  the  town  on  the  south, 
and  partially  on  the  east,  continues  its  way  to  the 
stream  of  which  it  is  a  tributary.  Upon  the  north,  the 
plain  rises  gradually  from  the  river,  its  well-tilled 
fields,  and  beautiful  gardens  and  groves,  exhibiting  in 
dications  of  a  high  state  of  cultivation.  South  and 
west  are  the  mountain  ridges  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  with 
the  gorge  opening  on  the  south-west.  It  is  approached 
on  the  north-east  from  Caiderita  and  Marin,  and  on 
the  north-west  from  Monclova  and  Presquina  Grande. 
The  main  road  to  Saltillo  leaves  the  city  at  its  south 
western  extremity,  and  passes  along  the  left  bank  of  the 
Arroyo  San  Juan,  with  a  branch  crossing  the  stream, 
and  penetrating  the  mountains  through  a  smaller  defile 
a  short  distance  east  of  the  principal  pass.  There  are 
three  large  squares  or  plazas  :  the  Plaza  de  la  Capella,f 
in  the  western  part  of  the  town,  the  Plazuela  de  Carne, 

*  This  term  is  of  frequent  occurrence  in  the  geography  of  Mexico. 
It  is  the  Mexican  word  used  to  designate  a  small  stream  from  a  larger 
one  of  the  same  name 

f  This  is  the  cemetery  referred  to  in  some  of  the  dispatches. 


152  ITS    FORTIFICATIONS. 

nearer  the  centre,  and  the  great  Plaza  upon  which 
stands  the  Cathedral,  in  the  south-east  corner.  The 
houses  are  built  of  stone,  in  the  old  Spanish  style,  with 
flat  roofs,  and  battlements,  or  parapets,  between  two 
and  three  feet  high  ;  and,  with  the  exception  of  the 
public  edifices  around  the  main  plaza,  they  are  gener 
ally  but  one  story  in  height.  To  almost  every  house 
there  is  attached  a  small  garden  inclosed  by  stone  walls. 
The  streets  are  laid  out  with  great  regularity,  running 
parallel  to  each  other,  with  the  intersecting  streets  cross 
ing  at  right  angles. 

The  natural  position  of  the  city  rendered  it  easy  of 
defence,  and  every  advantage  had  been  improved  to 
the  utmost.  On  the  north  side  of  the  town,  between 
the  road  to  Monclova  and  that  to  Mann,  there  was  a 
large  rectangular  fortress,  known  as  the  citadel,  cover 
ing  nearly  three  acres  of  ground,  with  four  bastion 
fronts,  surrounded  by  a  work  of  solid  masonry,  and 
supplied  with  heavy  guns.  At  the  north-eastern  angle, 
in  the  suburbs,  there  was  a  strong  redoubt  of  masonry 
of  four  faces,  with  an  open  gorge  of  ten  feet,  prepared 
for  four  guns,  overlooked  and  commanded  by  a  large 
stone  house  in  the  rear,  also  fortified.  South  of  this  was 
a  second  redoubt  of  four  faces,  with  three  guns,  and  de 
fended  by  an  open  gorge  of  twenty  feet,  commanded 
by  another  redoubt  with  three  guns,  overlooking  the 
Caiderita  road  crossing  the  Arroyo  San  Juan  by  the 
bridge  Purissima,  which  was  also  defended  by  a  tete  du 
pont  of  masonry.  And  still  further  south,  there  were 
two  other  redoubts,  only  one  of  which,  with  three  guns, 
was  occupied,  having  in  its  rear  a  stone  house  prepared 
for  infantry,  with  loop-holes  and  sand-bags.  All  these 
redoubts  were  connected  by  fleches  of  masonry,  or 
breastworks  of  earth  and  brush.  Along  the  southern 


THE    GARRISON.  163 

edge  of  the  city,  overlooking  the  river,  ran  a  stone 
wall  four  feet  thick,  with  embrasures  for  guns,  and 
banquettes  for  infantry.  Upon  the  west  was  an  iso 
lated  hill,  called  Loma  de  Independencia,  towering  up 
to  a  height  of  seven  hundred  feet,  and  sloping  towards 
the  town  on  the  east,  but  presenting  a  steep  and  almost 
perpendicular  acclivity  on  the  west.  On  the  summit 
of  this  hill  was  a  gun-battery,  with  a  breastwork  of 
sand-bags,  and  about  midway  of  the  slope  a  strongly 
fortified  structure,  called  the  Bishop's  palace,  with  out 
works  of  masonry,  containing  two  or  three  guns  mount 
ed  in  barbette.  About  six  hundred  yards  south  of  the 
hill  of  Independence,  and  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
Arroyo  San  Juan,  between  the  two  gorges  of  the  Sal- 
tillo  road,  was  Federacion  hill,  with  strong  batteries  on 
its  crest,  and  the  Soldada  fort  on  the  same  height,  but 
retired  about  six  hundred  yards  from  the  batteries. 
This  hill  not  only  commanded  the  hill  of  Independence, 
but  guarded  all  the  approaches  to  the  town  in  that 
quarter.  The  city  itself  was  one  continued  fortifica 
tion.  The  plazas  and  streets  were  barricaded  and  de 
fended  by  artillery.  Breastworks  were  thrown  up  in 
every  direction.  The  walls  of  the  cemetery  on  the  west 
side  of  the  town,  the  sides  of  the  houses,  the  parapets 
on  the  house-tops,  and  even  the  garden  walls,  were 
pierced  with  creneles  and  loop-holes  for  musketry  ;  and 
wherever  the  firm  mason-work  was  deemed  insufficient, 
sand-bags  were  provided  for  the  protection  of  those 
behind  them.  The  cathedral  in  the  main  plaza  was 
the  principal  magazine  for  the  ammunition.  Months 
had  been  spent  in  completing  these  defences ;  forty- 
two  pieces  of  artillery  were  planted  in  different  quar 
ters  of  the  town ;  and  General  Ampudia  had  with  him 
about  7,000  regular  troops,  and  two  or  three  thousand 


104          GENERAL  WORTH  DETACHED. 

volunteers  and  citizens, — yet  strongly  fortified  as  was 
his  position,  by  nature  and  art,  it  was  doomed  to  fall 
before  the  resistless  energy  of  the  American  soldiers. 

Reconnaissances  of  the  city  and  its  defences  were 
made,  on  the  eastern  side,  by  Captain  Williams  of  the 
topographical  engineers,  and  on  the  west  by  Major 
Mansfield,  of  the  corps  of  engineers.  The  latter  re 
ported  that  the  enemy's  position  could  be  turned  by 
throwing  forward  a  column  to  the  Saltillo  road,  and 
carrying  the  detached  works  in  its  vicinity.  General 
Worth  was  selected,  with  his  division  and  Colonel 
Hays'  Texan  regiment,  to  execute  the  important  enter 
prise.  He  commenced  his  march  from  General  Tay 
lor's  camp,  at  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  20th  ; 
his  men  being  supplied  with  two  days'  rations,  but  tak 
ing  no  tents.  Making  a  wide  circuit  to  the  right  he 
reached  the  Presquina  Grande  road  at  six  o'clock,  hav 
ing  traversed  only  six  miles,  on  account  of  the  delay  in 
making  the  route  practicable  for  artillery.  Halting  his 
division  out  of  range  of  the  battery  on  the  hill  of  Inde 
pendence,  a  reconnaissance  was  made  to  the  intersec 
tion  of  the  Presquina  Grande  road  with  the  Saltillo 
road,  and  the  troops  bivouacked  at  their  position  during 
the  night.  The  movement  had  not  escaped  the  notice 
of  the  enemy,  and  reinforcements  were  thrown  towards 
the  Bishop's  palace  and  the  height  above  it.  In  order 
to  divert  their  attention,  General  Taylor  directed  the 
divisions  under  Generals  Butler  and  Twiggs  to  be  dis 
played  in  front  of  the  town  until  dark.  In  the  night 
the  mortar  and  twenty-four-pounder  howitzers  were 
placed  in  battery,  with  a  view  of  opening  a  fire  upon 
the  citadel  on  the  succeeding  day. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  21st,  General  Worth  put 
his  division  again  in  motion,  having  written  a  note  to 


SKIRMISH    AT    BAN    JEROMINO.  165 

General  Taylor,  suggesting  a  diversion  in  his  favor,  on 
the  north  and  east  of  the  town.  The  road  wound  in 
and  out  around  the  ridges  projecting  from  the  moun 
tains  on  the  west,  and  sometimes  brought  the  column 
within  range  of  the  batteries  on  the  hill  of  Indepen 
dence.  On  turning  one  of  these  angles,  at  the  haci 
enda  of  San  Jeromino,  a  strong  force  of  Mexican 
cavalry  and  infantry  came  suddenly  upon  the  advance, 
which  consisted  of  Hays'  Texans,  supported  by  the 
light  companies  of  the  first  brigade  under  Captain  C. 
F.  Smith,  and  Duncan's  battery.  The  rangers  met 
the  charge  with  a  deadly  fire  from  their  unerring  rifles, 
and  the  light  companies  also  opened  upon  the  attacking 
party.  Duncan's  battery  was  in  action  in  a  moment, 
together  with  a  section  of  Lieutenant  Mackall's  bat 
tery.  The  conflict  lasted  about  fifteen  minutes,  when, 
as  the  whole  first  brigade  had  now  formed  to  the  front, 
the  enemy  retired  in  disorder  along  the  Saltillo  road, 
closely  followed  by  the  Americans,  who  took  possession 
of  the  gorge,  and  thus  prevented  their  return  to  the 
city,  and  excluded  all  reinforcements  and  supplies  from 
entering  in  that  direction.  The  enemy  left  one  hun 
dred  of  their  men,  either  killed  or  wounded,  on  the 
ground,  and  among  them  a  colonel  of  lancers. 

General  Worth  halted  his  division  at  the  opening  of 
the  gorge,  but  on  discovering  that  his  men  were  still 
within  reach  of  the  enemy's  fire,  he  advanced  about 
half  a  mile  further  on  the  Saltillo  road.  At  twelve 
o'clock,  Captain  C.  F.  Smith  was  detached  with  four 
companies  of  the  artillery  battalion,  and  six  companies 
of  Texan  rangers,  on  foot,  under  Major  Chevalier, 
about  three  hundred  men  in  all,  to  storm  the  batteries  on 
Federacion  hill.*  The  movement  could  not  be  masked, 

*  "  General  Worth  rode  up  as  the  command  moved  off,  and  pointing 


166  STORMING    OF     FEDERACION    HILL. 

and  the  party  was  almost  regarded  as  a  forlorn  hope, 
when  the  enemy's  guns  opened  a  plunging  fire  upon 
them,  and  their  light  troops  were  seen  descending  the 
slopes,  and  preparing  for  the  onset.  Captain  Miles 
was  instantly  ordered,  with  the  7th  infantry,  to  support 
the  assaulting  party.  Instead  of  taking  the  more  cir 
cuitous  route  pursued  by  the  former  detachment,  the 
regiment  moved  directly  to  the  foot  of  the  height,  press 
ing  forward  with  alacrity,  though  the  waters  of  the 
river,  as  they  forded  it,  hissed  and  foamed  with  the 
shot  which  fell  thick  and  fast  around  them.  Without 
wavering  or  faltering  in  the  least,  both  detachments 
advanced  up  the  hill,  clinging  to  the  pointed  rocks  and 
bushes  of  thorn  for  support,  as  the  loose  stones  and 
earth  crumbled  away  beneath  their  feet,  with  the  balls 
whistling  over  their  heads,  and  fragments  of  rock  and 
gravel  falling  constantly  upon  them.  They  halted  only 
to  deliver  their  fire,  and  the  enemy  were  driven  stead 
ily  before  them.  Heavy  reinforcements  now  appeared 
on  the  height,  and  again  there  was  danger.  Colonel 
P.  F.  Smithf  hastened  with  the  5th  infantry  under 
Major  Scott,  the  Louisiana  volunteers,  and  fifty  of  the 
rangers  under  Colonel  Hays,  to  the  assistance  of  his 
comrades.  On  arriving  at  the  foot  of  the  ascent,  he 
saw  that  he  could  take  advantage  of  the  ground,  and, 
by  moving  a  part  of  his  force  obliquely  up  the  hill  to 
the  right,  carry  both  batteries  at  once.  The  move- 
to  the  height,  said,  '  Men,  you  are  to  take  that  hill,  and  I  know  you  will 
do  it.'  With  one  response  they  replied,  '  We  will.'  " — Reid's  Scouting 
Expeditions  of  the  Texas  Rangers. 

*  Colonel  Smith  held  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General  of  the  Louisiana 
Volunteers  first  mustered  into  service,  but  who  were  discharged  before 
the  army  marched  to  Monterey.  He  was  appointed  colonel  of  the  regi 
ment  of  mounted  riflemen  of  the  regular  army,  in  May,  1846,  and  aftor- 
wards  brevetted  a  brigadier  general. 


DIVEBSION    IN    THE    LOWER    TOWN.  167 

ment  was  ordered.  Up  they  all  went,  animating  each 
other  by  the  loud  cheers  that  rang  down  the  hill  sfde, 
and  echoed  among  the  gorges.  Captain  Smith  drove 
the  enemy  from  the  breastwork,  like  chaff  before  a 
whirlwind,  and  then  came  a  contest  between  the  vic 
tors,  as  to  who  should  first  reach  the  Soldada.  The 
assault  terminated  in  a  race.  Each  man  strained  every 
nerve.  The  5th  was  foremost,  though  hard  pressed  by 
the  other  detachments,  and  entered  the  fort  at  one  end, 
as  the  Mexicans  retired  at  the  other.  The  works  of  the 
enemy  on  the  southern  bank  of  the  river  were  carried, 
and  their  guns  turned  upon  Independence  hill  and  the 
Bishop's  palace. 

Previous  to  the  reception  of  General  Worth's  note, 
General  Taylor  had  determined  to  make  a  diversion 
against  the  lower  part  of  the  town.  The  first  division 
of  regulars,  and  the  division  of  volunteers,  moved 
towards  the  city  in  the  morning,  having  left  one  com 
pany  of  each  regiment  as  a  camp  guard.  The  dra 
goons  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  May,  and  Colonel 
Wood's  regiment  of  Texan  mounted  volunteers,  under 
the  immediate  command  of  General  Henderson,  were 
directed  to  the  right  to  support  General  Worth.  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Garland  advanced  with  Bragg's  battery, 
the  1st  and  3rd  infantry,  and  the  Baltimore  and  Wash 
ington  battalion,  piloted  by  Major  Mansfield,  against 
the  defences  at  the  north-eastern  angle  of  the  city, 
while  the  mortar  served  by  Captain  Ramsay,  and  the 
howitzer  battery  under  Captain  Webster,  opened  their 
fire.  General  Butler  remained  with  his  division  in  rear 
of  the  battery.  The  remaining  regiment  of  General 
Twiggs'  division,  the  4th  infantry,  was  also  held  in  re 
serve  ;  the  general  himself,  though  suffering  severely 


168  TERRIBLE    LOS3    OF    LIFE. 

from  sickness,  being  present,  and  directing  the  move 
ments  of  his  command. 

The  column  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Garland  was 
soon  exposed  to  the  converging  fire  of  the  citadel  and 
the  redoubts,  and  annoyed  by  the  galling  discharges  of 
musketry  from  the  adjacent  houses  and  stone  walls. 
Moving  rapidly  to  the  light  of  the  fort  at  the  north 
eastern  angle,  an  attempt  was  made  to  carry  it  by 
gaining  a  position  in  the  rear.  Shower  upon  shower 
of  balls  fell  upon  and  around  them  ;  yet  they  pressed 
nobly  on.  Again  and  again  that  "  iron  sleet "  poured 
down, 

"  In  deadly  drifts  of  fiery  spray." 

The  stoutest  hearted  of  them  all  began  to  quail.  The 
best  and  bravest,  of  both  officers  and  men,  had  fallen, 
and  the  whole  column  seemed  devoted  to  immediate 
destruction.  Still  those  men  were  ready  for  the  ad 
vance  ;  their  bosoms  throbbed  with  anxiety,  but  they 
sheltered  no  coward  hearts.  It  was  madness,  however, 
for  the  officers  further  to  expose  their  commands,  while 
the  enemy  were  protected  by  their  breastworks  and 
barricades  ;  and  most  of  them  were  temporarily  with 
drawn  to  places  of  comparative  security.  The  battery 
under  Captain  Bragg  was  terribly  cut  up,  and  com 
pelled  to  retire  out  of  range.  Captain  Backus,  of  the 
1st  infantry,  with  portions  of  the  different  companies, 
gained  the  roof  of  a  tannery  looking  directly  into  the 
gorge  of  the  fort ;  and  had  just  commenced  pouring  his 
destructive  volleys  into  the  work,  when  General  Quit- 
man  arrived  upon  the  ground  with  his  brigade  of  vol 
unteers,  and  three  companies  of  the  4th  infantry  under 
Major  Allen.  They,  too,  encounteied  a  most  with 
ering  fire.  The  Tennessee  regiment  sustained  a  severe 


CAPTURE    OF    THE    FIRST    FORT.  1G9 

loss,  and  the  companies  of  the  regular  infantry,  in  the 
advance,  were  deprived  of  one  third  of  their  officers 
and  men,  who  were  struck  down  in  an  instant.  For  a 
moment  they  staggered  and  fell  back  ;  but  the  officers, 
both  of  the  regulars  and  volunteers,  as  if  animated  by 
one  sentiment,  sprang  into  the  front  line,  and  encour 
aged  the  men  by  their  words  and  their  example.  Be 
ing  joined  by  the  remaining  companies  of  the  4th  in 
fantry,  they  again  moved  forward,  no  longer  to  be 
repulsed.  The  breastworks  were  surmounted,  and  the 
cattery  won. 

Meanwhile  General  Butler  had  entered  the  edge  of 
the  town  with  the  1st  Ohio  regiment,  the  remaining 
regiment  of  General  Hamer's  brigade,  the  1st  Ken 
tucky,  being  left  to  support  the  mortar  and  howitzer 
battery.  Discovering  that  nothing  could  be  gained  in 
his  front,  and  being  advised  by  Major  Mansfield  to 
withdraw  his  command,  he  was  about  retiring,  when  he 
learned  that  the  first  fort  had  been  taken.  The  direc 
tion  of  his  column  was  promptly  changed,  and  he  ad 
vanced  under  a  severe  fire  to  within  one  hundred 
yards  of  the  second  fort,  called  El  Diablo.  He  here 
found  that  the  intervening  space  was  completely  swept 
by  the  fire  of  three  distinct  batteries,  but  being  anxious 
to  capture  the  work,  if  within  his  power,  he  was  pre 
paring  to  storm  it,  when  he  received  a  severe  wound 
which  compelled  him  to  halt.  He  afterwards  surren 
dered  the  command  to  General  Hamer,  who  moved  the 
regiment  to  a  new  position,  and  within  sustaining  dis 
tance  of  the  batteries  under  Captains  Ridgely  and 
Webster,  which  had  already  occupied  the  first  fort,  and 
were  vigorously  playing  upon  the  second.  General 
Taylor  now  came  up,  and  ordered  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Garland,  with  such  men  as  could  be  collected  of  the 


170  DEMONSTRATIONS    OF    CAVALRl. 

1st,  3rd,  and  4th  infantry,  and  Baltimore  and  Wash* 
ington  battalion,  with  a  section  of  Ridgely's  battery,  to 
enter  the  town,  penetrate  to  the  right,  and  carry  the 
second  battery,  if  possible.  The  command  advanced 
beyond  the  bridge,  Purissima,  exposed  to  an  incessant 
fire  from  the  forts  and  the  citadel,  where  they  sustained 
themselves  for  some  time,  but  finding  it  impracticable 
to  gain  the  rear  of  the  battery,  they  withdrew  to  the 
captured  fort. 

While  these  efforts  were  being  made  to  carry  the  ad 
vanced  works,  several  demonstrations  were  made  by 
the  enemy's  cavalry  ;  one  of  which,  on  the  opposite 
side  of  the  river,  was  dispersed  by  Captain  Ridgely's 
battery ;  another  was  repulsed,  with  considerable  loss, 
by  the  Ohio  regiment  and  a  part  of  the  Mississippi  regi 
ment  ;  and  a  third,  by  Captain  Bragg's  battery,  sup 
ported  by  Captain  Miller  of  the  1st  infantry,  with  a 
mixed  command.  On  the  approach  of  evening,  the 
troops  were  ordered  back  to  camp,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  Captain  Ridgely's  company,  and  the  regular 
infantry  of  the  1st  division,  reinforced  by  one  battalion 
of  the  Kentucky  regiment,  who  remained  on  guard 
during  the  night  in  the  captured  fort.  Intrenching 
tools  were  procured,  and  the  works  materially  strength 
ened  before  morning. 

For  six  long  hours  had  this  contest  continued  in  the 
lower  part  of  the  town.  The  streets  were  slippery  with 
the  blood  of  the  assailants.  They  had  lost  three  hun 
dred  and  ninety-four  men,  in  killed  and  wounded,  dur 
ing  the  operations  of  the  day,  among  whom  were  some 
of  the  ablest  and  most  accomplished  officers  in  the  ser 
vice.  The  line  of  the  enemy's  defences  had  been 
penetrated,  and  a  foothold  gained,  but  at  a  great  sacri 
fice  It  was  truly  a  scene  of  havoc  and  slaughter.  In 


AN    INCIDENT    OF    THE    BATTLE.  171 

the  midst  of  the  horrors  of  that  terrible  conflict,  a  Mex 
ican  woman  was  seen  going  abrut  among  the  dead, 
regardless  of  her  own  danger,  an^  making  no  distinc 
tion  between  friend  and  foe,  as  she  proceeded  on  her 
errand  of  love,  binding  up  the  broken  limbs,  moisten 
ing  the  parched  lips  of  the  dying,  and  ministering  to 
the  comforts  of  the  wounded.  While  thus  engaged, 
while  thus  displaying  the  gentle  virtues,  the  tenderness, 
and  the  unwavering  fortitude  of  her  sex,  she  was  struck 
by  a  chance  ball,  and  fell  to  the  earth  among  the  armed 
men  who  lay  in  heaps  around  her.  The  American 
soldiers  knew  how  to  appreciate  such  nobleness  of 
heart, — the  magnanimity  of  such  a  sacrifice.  They 
nursed  her  tenderly  until  she  died,  and  on  the  follow 
ing  day  they  buried  her,  amid  the  constant  fire  from 
the  Mexican  batteries.  It  was  all  they  could  do  to 
testify  their  sympathy,  but  it  will  be  long  ere  they  for 
get  the  kind  and  tender-hearted  being, 

"  who  found  a  martyr's  grave, 
On  that  red  field  of  Monterey." 

The  capture  of  Federacion  hill  and  the  Soldada,  only 
rendered  it  more  necessary  that  the  possession  of  the 
hill  of  Independence  and  the  Bishop's  palace  should 
also  be  secured.  The  party  who  stormed  the  former, 
had  been  nearly  thirty-six  hours  without  food,  and  to 
add  to  their  hardships,  a  violent  storm  came  up  towards 
evening  on  the  21st.  Without  any  covering  to  protect 
them  from  the  pelting  rain,  they  lay  down  with  their 
arms  upon  the  ground,  to  snatch  a  few  hours  sleep. 
At  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  22nd,  they  were 
aroused  to  storm  the  hill  Independencia.  The  execu 
tion  of  this  enterprise  was  intrusted  to  Lieutenant 


172  INDEPENDENCE    HILL. 

Colonel  Childs,  with  three  companies  of  his  artillery 
battalion,  three  companies  of  the  8th  infantry  under 
Captain  Scriven,  and  two  hundred  Texan  riflemen, 
under  Colonel  Hays  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Walker.* 
There  were  faint  gleams  of  morning  light  dancing  on 
the  summits  of  the  hills,  but  the  sky  was  curtained  by 
a  thick  veil  of  clouds,  and  the  valley  still  in  deep  shade. 
Proceeding  cautiously  along,  the  party  picked  their  way 
up  the  steep  hill,  among  the  rocks  and  thorny  bushes  of 
chaparral,  and  at  daybreak  were  within  one  hundred 
yards  of  the  breastwork  on  the  summit.  Here  they 
encountered  a  body  of  Mexicans  who  had  been  sta 
tioned  in  a  cleft  of  rocks  on  the  night  previous,  in  an 
ticipation  of  an  attack.  Three  men  of  the  artillery 
battalion,  having  advanced  with  too  much  haste,  came 
unexpectedly  upon  the  enemy.  They  instantly  yielded, 
but  were  shot  down  with  the  very  pieces  which  they  had 
surrendered.  It  did  not  require  this  act  of  cruelty  and 
outrage  to  kindle  the  zeal  and  fire  the  ambition  of  their 
comrades.  With  a  loud  fierce  shout  for  vengeance  they 
sprang  up  the  height.  A  deadly  volley  from  their  guns, 
and  a  charge  with  the  bayonet,  placed  them  in  possession 
of  the  work  ;  the  enemy  delivering  an  ineffectual  fire  as 
they  retreated.  The  next  object  of  attack  was  the  Bish 
op's  palace,  about  four  hundred  yards  distant.  The  Mex 
icans  had  withdrawn  their  guns  from  the  battery,  and 
the  detachment  were  obliged  to  wait  for  their  own 
cannon.  Lieutenant  Rowland,  of  Duncan's  battery, 
was  ordered  from  the  main  rank  with  a  twelve-pounder 
howitzer,  and  in  two  hours  his  men  had  dragged  and 

*  The  rank  of  this  officer  in  the  Texan  Volunteers  was  that  of  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel ;  but  he  is  better  known  as  "  Captain  Walker."  He 
received  a  captain's  commission  in  General  Smith's  regiment  of  mounted 
riflemen. 


CAPTURE    OF    THE    BISHOP'S    PALACE.  173 

lifted  their  piece  up  the   hill,  by  main   strength,  and 
were  showering  their  missiles  upon  the  enemy. 

The  detachment  on  the  height  was  also  reinforced 
by  the  5th  infantry  and  the  Louisiana  volunteers.  The 
enemy  saw  the  advantage  which  had  been  gained,  and 
manifested  a  determination  to  recover  the  heights. 
Several  feints  were  made,  and  then  a  heavy  sortie 
supported  by  a  strong  body  of  cavalry.  The  Ameri 
cans  were  prepared  for  the  movement.  Captain  Vin- 
ton  advanced  under  cover  of  the  rocks,  with  two 
companies  of  light  troops,  to  draw  the  enemy  forward, 
followed  by  the  main  column  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Childs,  with  the  Texans  on  either  flank.  The  Mexi 
cans  advanced  boldly,  but  were  scattered  in  confusion 
by  one  general  discharge  from  all  arms.  Before  they 
could  regain  their  works,  the  American  soldiers  rushed 
down  upon  them,  shouting  as  they  ran.  Entering  the 
palace  by  a  door  which  had  been  barricaded,  but  open 
ed  by  the  fire  of  the  howitzer,  they  completed  the  vic 
tory.  Lieutenant  Ayres  was  the  first  to  reach  the  hal 
yards  and  haul  down  the  flag,  which  was  soon  replaced 
by  the  American  standard,  waving  proudly  in  the 
breeze.  The  captured  guns,  together  with  Duncan's 
and  Mackall's  batteries,  which  came  up  at  a  full  gallop, 
were  effectively  served  upon  the  Mexican  soldiers,  who 
fled  towards  the  city,  pouring  in  confused  masses  down 
the  street  leading  to  the  Plaza  de  la  Capella,  the  pro 
longation  of  which  was  now  held  by  the  Americans. 
With  the  loss  of  but  seventy  men  in  killed  and  wound 
ed,  General  Worth  had  accomplished  the  purpose  for 
which  his  division  was  detached.  The  enterprise  was 
executed  promptly  and  skilfully,  and  with  entire  sue- 
cess.  His  whole  force  was  soon  after  concentrated  in 


174  THE    AMERICANS    IN    THE    CITY. 

the  vicinity  of  the  palace,  in  readiness  to  co-operate 
with  General  Taylor  in  an  assault  upon  the  town. 

The  main  body  of  the  army  spent  the  22nd  in  bury 
ing  their  dead,  and  caring  for  the  wounded  ;  although 
the  enemy  did  not  remit  their  fire  from  the  citadel  and 
the  works  on  the  east  side  of  the  town.  Many  an 
anxious  eye  was  turned  from  General  Taylor's  camp 
towards  the  scene  of  General  Worth's  operations,  and 
when  the  American  flag  was  unfurled  on  the  Bishop's 
palace,  the  welkin  rang  with  glad  hurrahs.  General 
Quitman's  brigade  relieved  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gar 
land's  command,  with  the  exception  of  Ridgely's  bat 
tery,  in  the  occupation  of  the  captured  fort,  and  an 
assault  on  the  remaining  works  was  now  contemplated 
to  be  made  on  the  following  day  :  but  at  early  dawn  on 
the  23rd,  it  was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had  aban 
doned  their  defences  in  the  lower  part  of  the  town,  and 
were  concentrating  their  forces  near  the  main  plaza, 
for  a  last  desperate  struggle.  The  brigade  of  General 
Quitman,  the  2nd  regiment  of  Texan  volunteers  under 
General  Henderson,  who  had  returned  from  General 
Worth's  position,  and  Captain  Bragg's  battery,  sup 
ported  by  the  3rd  infantry,  immediately  entered  the 
city.  Detachments  of  the  troops  proceeded  gradually, 
breaking  through  the  stone  walls,  springing  from  one 
house  to  another,  mounting  to  the  flat  roofs,  and  driv 
ing  the  enemy  before  them,  until  they  had  advanced 
within  two  squares  of  the  main  plaza.  About  noon  a 
communication  was  received  from  the  governor  of  the 
State  of  New  Leon,  requesting  permission  for  the  in 
habitants  who  were  non-combatants,  to  leave  the  city. 
This  application  was  made  too  late,  and  General  Taylor 
refused  to  grant  the  request.  At  three  in  the  afternoon 
he  directed  the  troops  on  the  east  side  of  the  town  to 


BREAKING  THROUGH  THE  WALLS.        175 

retire  from  their  advanced  position.  They  had  been 
constantly  engaged  for  eight  hours,  and  needed  both 
rest  and  food  to  enable  them  to  continue  the  attack. 

Meanwhile  General  Worth  had  not  been  idle.  In 
the  morning  of  the  23rd,  he  sent  a  detachment  to  take 
possession  of  the  gorge  near  Santa  Catarina,  and  had 
designed  to  move  forward  into  the  city  under  favor  of 
the  ensuing  night;  but  on  hearing  the  heavy  firing 
upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  town,  he  organized  two 
columns  of  attack,  who  were  ordered  to  press  on  to  the 
first  plaza,  keeping  under  cover  as  much  as  possible,  to 
get  hold  of  the  ends  of  the  streets  beyond  it,  and  then, 
entering  the  houses,  to  break  through  the  longitudinal 
sections  of  the  walls  with  picks  and  bars,  and  work 
their  way  from  house  to  house.  The  light  artillery  fol 
lowed  the  columns  in  sections  and  pieces  to  support  the 
movement. 

All  day  long  the  work  proceeded.  Step  by  step, 
slowly,  but  surely,  the  Americans  won  their  way  into 
the  city.  The  solid  masonry  yielded  before  their  pon 
derous  blows.  The  inhabitants  were  stricken  as  with 
a  panic.  For  years  Monterey  had  defied  the  arms  of 
Spain ;  but  here  were  soldiers  who  mocked  at  every 
obstacle,  and  overcame  every  difficulty.  Begrimed 
with  dust  and  smoke,  imagination  pictured  them  as 
beings  from  another  world.  As  they  sprang,  like  magic, 
through  the  firm  walls  of  the  apartments  where  pale- 
faced  women  had  retired  for  shelter,  shriek  upon  shriek 
rent  the  air,  and  only  ceased  when  those  who  uttered 
them  were  assured,  in  friendly  tones,  that  there  were 
wives  and  daughters  by  the  firesides  of  those  dark  war 
riors,  who  waited  for  their  coming,  and  whose  purity 
and  innocence  were  not  forgotten  even  in  the  wild 
excitement  of  that  hour,  by  those  who  esteemed  and 


176  CAPITULATION. 

loved  them.  Galleries  and  corridors,  chambers  and 
balconies,  which  had  oft  resounded  with  the  notes  of 
merriment  and  joy,  or  listened  to  the  endearments  of 
affection  and  the  soft  accents  of  love,  now  echoed 
with  the  rattle  of  musketry,  the  sharp  crack  of  the 
rifle,  the  clash  of  steel  against  steel,  the  exulting 
shout  and  the  dying  groan ;  and,  high  above  all  the 
din,  rose  the  unceasing  thunder  of  artillery. 

At  sunset  General  Worth's  division  had  reached  a 
street  but  one  square  in  rear  of  the  great  plaza,  leav 
ing  a  covered  way  behind  them,  and  had  carried  a 
large  building  overlooking  the  principal  defences  of 
the  enemy.  The  mortar  had  been  sent  round  by 
General  Taylor,  and  this  was  placed  in  position  in  the 
Plaza  de  la  Capella,  masked  by  the  church  wall,  and 
opened  on  the  main  plaza  and  the  cathedral,  where  the 
enemy  were  principally  collected,  and  whither  the  aged 
and  helpless  had  retired  as  to  their  only  remaining  place 
of  refuge.  Two  howitzers  and  a  six-pounder  were 
also  mounted  on  the  captured  building,  and  every  prep 
aration  made  during  the  night  to  renew  the  assault  at 
dawn  of  day.  But  this  was  rendered  unnecessary. 
Monterey  was  already  lost  and  won  ! 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  24th  a  flag  was  sent  out 
by  General  Ampudia,  accompanied  by  Colonel  Moreno 
as  the  bearer  of  a  communication  to  General  Taylor, 
proposing  to  evacuate  the  city  with  the  personnel  and 
materiel  of  war.  This  was  positively  refused,  and  a 
surrender  of  the  town  demanded.  Soon  after  a  con 
ference  took  place  between  General  Taylor  and  Gene 
ral  Ampudia,  at  the  quarters  of  General  Worth,  which 
resulted  in  the  appointment  of  commissioners  and  the 
capitulation  of  the  city.* 

*  Considerable  parleying  took  place  at  the  conference,  and  &t  th* 


CONDUCT    OF    AMPUDIA.  177 

sittings  of  the  commissioners,  and  hostilities  were  several  times  upon 
the  point  of  being  renewed.  At  the  request  of  General  Ampudia,  the 
word  "surrender"  in  the  articles  was  changed  to  "capitulation/'  and 
he  afterwards  desired  to  have  this  softened  down  into  "  stipulation." 
Several  hours  were  spent  in  disputes  upon  immaterial  points,  until  Gen 
eral  Taylor  peremptorily  announced  that  he  would  be  trifled  with  no 
longer.  On  one  occasion,  he  is  reported  to  have  said  to  General  Ampu 
dia — "  Sir,  I  hold  you  and  your  army  in  the  hollow  of  my  hand ;  the 
conference  is  closed, — in  thirty  minutes  you  shall  hear  from  my  bat 
teries!"  The  Mexican  general  hesitated  no  longer,  the  terms  were 
agreed  upon,  and  the  capitulation  signed. 


CHAPTER   V 


Terms  of  the  Capitulation  at  Monterey — Armistice — Revolution  in  Mex 
ico —  Return  of  Santa  Anna — Proposition  to  negotiate — Evacuation 
of  Monterey — Concentration  of  troops  at  San  Antonio  de  Bexar— 
March  of  General  Wool — Change  of  Route — Monclova — Termination 
of  the  Armistice — Occupation  of  Saltillo,  Parras,  and  Tampico — The 
Mexican  Army  at  San  Luis  Potosi — Threatened  Attack  on  Saltillo — 
March  to  Victoria. 

IN  whatever  light  it  may  be  viewed,  the  capture  of 
Monterey  must  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
achievements  recorded  in  the  annals  of  modern  war 
fare.  Though  most  advantageously  situated  and  well 
defended,  the  city  was  compelled  to  capitulate,  after 
three  days'  fighting,  to  an  inferior  force,  without  heavy 
artillery,  and  destitute  of  the  means  usually  employed 
for  the  reduction  of  fortified  towns.  A  simple  state 
ment  of  the  difficulties  to  be  overcome  by  General 
Taylor  and  his  army,  and  of  the  success  which  crowned 
their  efforts,  is  all  that  is  required  to  establish  their 
claims  to  the  gratitude  and  admiration  ,of  their  coun 
trymen.  The  terms  of  the  capitulation,  however,  were 
not  entirely  satisfactory  to  the  army,  or  rather,  to  the 
Texan  volunteers,  who,  it  cannot  be  denied,  were 
but  too  anxious  to  redress  the  wrongs  which  they  had 
received  during  their  revolution  ;  neither  were  they  ap 
proved  by  the  Executive  authorities  of  the  United 


GENERAL  WOOL. 


TERMS    OF    THE    CAPITULATION.  179 

Statts>.*  It  was  thoaght  by  the  President,  that  an  un 
conditional  surrender  of  the  Mexican  forces  in  Monte 
rey,  and  of  their  arms  and  munitions  of  war,  should 
have  been  insisted  upon  by  General  Taylor ;  and  that 
the  article  providing  for  an  armistice  was  both  unnec 
essary  and  unadvisable.f 

General  Taylor  might  have  taken  the  city  without  a 
surrender.  There  was  no  misgiving  on  the  part  of  his 
soldiers.  However  obstinate  the  defence,  it  would  cer 
tainly  have  been  overcome  in  the  end,  even  though 
every  street  and  plaza  had  been  drenched  in  blood.  On 
the  evening  of  the  24th  of  September,  the  exact  dis 
tance  to  the  cathedral  and  the  main  plaza  was  ascer 
tained  by  the  officer  having  charge  of  the  mortar,,  and 
he  was  prepared  to  throw  his  shells  accordingly.  Had 
no  offer  to  capitulate  been  received,  the  fire  would  have 

*  See  Correspondence  between  the  Secretary  of  War  and  General 
Taylor,  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  (pp.  77,  et  seq.)  2nd  Session, 
29th  Congress. 

f  The  following  were  the  terms  of  the  capitulation  : 

"  Terms  of  capitulation  of  the  city  of  Monterey,  the  capital  of  Nuevo 
Leon,  agreed  upon  by  the  undersigned  Commissioners,  to  wit :  General 
Worth,  of  the  United  States  Army,  General  Henderson  of  the  Texan 
Volunteers,  and  Colonel  Davis,  of  the  Mississippi  Riflemen,  on  the  part 
of  Major  General  Taylor,  commanding-in-chief  the  United  States  forces, 
and  General  Requena  and  General  Ortega,  of  the  Army  of  Mexico, 
and  Sefior  Manuel  M.  Llano,  Governor  of  Nuevo  Leon,  on  the  part  of 
Seiior  General  Don  Pedro  Ampudia,  commanding-in-chief  the  Army  of 
the  North  of  Mexico : 

"  ART.  I.  As  the  legitimate  result  of  the  operations  before  this  place, 
and  the  present  position  of  the  contending  armies,  it  is  agreed  that  the 
city,  the  fortifications,  cannon,  the  munitions  of  war,  and  all  other  pub- 
he  property,  with  the  undermentioned  exceptions,  be  surrendered  to  the 
commanding  general  of  the  United  States  forces  now  at  Monterey. 

"  ART.  II.  That  the  Mexican  forces  be  allowed  to  retain  the  following 
arms,  to  wii :  the  commissioned  officers  their  side-arms,  the  infantry 
their  arms  and  accoutrements,  the  cavalry  their  arms  and  accoutre 
ments,  the  artillery  one  field  battery,  not  to  exceed  six  pieces,  with 
twenty-one  rounds  of  ammunition. 


180  CONSEQUENCES    OF    AN    ASSAULT. 

been  kept  up  for  a  few  hours,  and  this  would  have  been 
followed  by  an  assault,  probably  on  the  night  of  the 
24th.  The  powder  of  the  enemy  was  stored  in  the  ca 
thedral,  and  the  women  and  children  were  collected  in 
and  near  the  main  plaza.  The  loss  of  life  which  must 
inevitably  have  attended  the  assault,  and  the  conse 
quent  explosion  of  the  magazine,  would  have  been 
frightful.  Every  principle  of  humanity  demanded  that 
this  should  be  avoided,  if  possible,  and  General  Taylor 
and  the  American  commissioners  were  very  willing  to 
be  governed  by  such  a  consideration,  when  they  found 
it  was  impossible  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  Mexi 
can  soldiers,  with  all  their  light  arms  and  baggage, 
through  the  numerous  narrow  passes  in  the  rear  of  the 
city,  which  they  were  unable  to  guard.  In  his  dispatch 
to  the  Mexican  minister  at  war  announcing  the  surren 
der,  dated  on  the  25th  of  September,  Ampudia  intima- 

'.'  ART.  III.  That  the  Mexican  armed  forces  retire,  within  seven  days 
from  this  date,  beyond  the  line  formed  by  the  pass  of  Rinconada,  the 
city  of  Linares,  and  San  Fernando  de  Parras. 

"  ART.  IV.  That  the  citadel  of  Monterey  be  evacuated  by  the  Mexi 
can  and  occupied  by  the  American  forces  to-morrow  morning  at  ten 
o'clock. 

"  ART.  V.  To  avoid  collisions,  and  for  mutual  convenience,  that  the 
troops  of  the  United  States  will  not  occupy  the  city  until  the  Mexican 
forces  have  withdrawn,  except  for  hospital  and  storage  purposes. 

"  ART.  VI.  That  the  forces  of  the  United  States  will  not  advance  be 
yond  the  line  specified  in  the  3rd  article,  before  the  expiration  of  eight 
weeks,  or  until  orders  or  instructions  of  the  respective  governments  can 
be  received. 

"  ART.  VII.  That  the  public  property  to  be  delivered,  shall  be  turned 
over  and  received  by  officers  appointed  by  the  commanding  generals  of 
the  two  armies. 

"  ART.  VIII.  That  all  doubts  as  to  the  meaning  of  any  of  the  preced 
ing  articles,  shall  be  solved  by  an  equitable  construction,  or  on  princi 
ples  of  liberality  to  the  retiring  army. 

"  ART.  IX.  That  the  Mexican  flag,  when  struck  at  the  citadel,  may 
be  saluted  by  its  own  battery. 

«  Done  at  Monterey,  Sept.  24, 1846." 


TI1K    ARMISTICE.  181 

ted  that  he  would  have  been  compelled  to  open  his  way 
with  the  bayonet.  His  assertion,  however,  is  not  end- 
tied  to  much  weight,  because  he  undoubtedly  anticipa 
ted  censure,  and  was  anxious  to  avoid  it  by  represent 
ing  his  situation  to  have  been  desperate  as  possible. 
Military  men  who  have  examined  the  ground,  and  all 
the  abler  and  more  experienced  officers  in  the  army  of 
General  Taylor,  concur  in  the  opinion  that  the  terms 
of  the  capitulation  were  as  rigorous  as  ought  to  have 
been  required ;  and  he  must  be  a  bold  man  who  would 
undertake  to  question  the  judgment  of  those  who  are 
so  competent  to  decide. 

The  armistice  wras  another  feature  of  the  capitulation 
to  which  objections  were  made.  General  Taylor  was 
not  in  a  situation  to  advance  from  Monterey,  or  to  pros 
ecute  the  war,  on  account  of  the  severe  loss  he  had 
sustained,  and  the  want  of  necessary  supplies,  until  a 
very  few  days  before  the  expiration  of  the  term  pre 
scribed  in  the  article.  So  far,  therefore,  as  the  force 
under  his  immediate  command  was  concerned,  the 
delay  would  have  been  necessary  under  any  circum 
stances,  and  could  have  produced  no  injurious  results. 
The  enemy  desired  the  armistice  •  it  might  have  had 
the  tendency  to  restore  friendly  relations  at  once  ;  and 
good  policy  required  the  concession  to  be  made.  But 
while  the  army  was  on  its  march  to  Monterey,  and 
employed  in  its  reduction,  an  expedition  was  planned 
by  the  President  and  his  cabinet  against  Tampico  and 
the  southern  part  of  the  department  of  Tamaulipas, 
below  the  line  which  neither  party  was  to  cross  while 
the  armistice  was  in  force.  In  the  month  of  June  pre 
vious,  General  Taylor  had  been  placed  in  the  full  com 
mand  of  all  the  land  forces  of  the  United  States  opera 
ting  against  the  republic  of  Mexico,  south  of  the  prov 


182  REVOLUTION    IN    MEXICO. 

ince  of  New  Mexico  ;*  this  order  had  not  been  coun 
termanded  ;  the  contemplated  movement  against  Tarn- 
pico  was  not  known  to  him  or  to  the  American  com 
missioners  ;  and  they  did  all  that  was  required  of  them, 
in  leaving  the  armistice  subject  to  the  ratification  of 
their  government.  But  beside  all  this,  General  Taylor 
was  instructed  by  the  Secretary  of  War,  that  hostili 
ties  were  to  be  prosecuted  for  the  conquest  of  a  speedy 
and  honorable  peace  ;f  Ampudia  expressly  stated  in  the 
conference  that  propositions  for  peace  had  been  made  ; 
it  was  notorious,  too,  that  negotiations  had  been,  or 
were,  in  progress ;  the  object  of  the  war  seemed  about 
to  be  gained ;  and  the  commissioners  of  both  countries 
were  influenced  in  their  deliberations  by  these  consid 
erations. 

The  propositions  for  peace  alluded  to  by  Ampudia, 
were  made  by  the  authorities  of  the  United  States,  in 
the  month  of  July,  in  consequence  of  a  change  in  the 
Mexican  government.  Paredes  was  never  firmly  seated 
in  power.  As  early  as  the  8th  of  March,  1846,  Santa 
Anna,  then  in  exile  at  Havana,  addressed  a  confiden 
tial  letter  to  a  friend  in  Mexico,  accompanied  with  his 
plan  for  a  revolution.  He  declared  that  his  sentiments 
were  changed  in  relation  to  the  proper  form  of  govern 
ment  for  his  countrymen,  and  that  he  was  willing  one 
should  be  established  by  a  Congress  to  be  chosen  in  ac 
cordance  with  the  electoral  laws  under  which  the  mem 
bers  of  the  Congress  of  1824  were  elected.  These  views 
were  satisfactory  to  the  leading  federalists,  and  it  was  de 
signed  to  make  a  movement  on  the  1st  of  April.  J  The 

*  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  (p.  50,)  2nd  Session,  29th  Congress 
t  Ibid.,  loc.  cit. 

$  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  4,  (pp.  34,  et  seq.)  2nd  Session,  29tb 
Congress. 


RETURN    OF    SAN1A    ANNA.  183 

main  reliance  of  Paredes  was  upon  the  army,  and  this 
could  not  be  withdrawn  from  him,  or  secured  by  the 
friends  of  Santa  Anna  and  the  federalists,  until  after  the 
battles  on  the  Rio  Grande.  The  cry  was  then  raised,  that 
the  war  had  not  been  conducted  with  sufficient  vigor 
or  skill.  Paredes  was  deposed  and  thrown  into  prison, 
but  afterwards  made  his  escape  to  Havana.  General 
Salas,  the  firm  friend  of  Santa  Anna,  was  chosen  pro 
visional  President,  and  immediately  issued  a  decree 
requiring  a  Congress  to  be  elected  and  to  assemble  on 
the  6th  of  December  following,  under  the  laws  in  force 
in  1824.  In  the  meantime  it  was  declared  that  the 
constitution  of  1824  should  be  the  supreme  law  of  the 
land.  Santa  Anna  arrived  at  Vera  Cruz  on  the  16th 
of  August,  having  been  allowed  to  pass  the  blockading 
squadron  without  opposition,  in  pursuance  of  instruc 
tions  from  the  Navy  Department. 

The  order  received  by  Commodore  Conner  to  allow 
Santa  Anna  to  enter  the  Mexican  ports  freely,  if  he 
endeavored  to  do  so,  although  he  could  unquestionably 
have  returned  had  it  not  been  in  existence,  was  issued 
on  the  13th  of  May  1846.  It  was  then  supposed  that 
his  presence  in  Mexico  might  lead  to  the  overthrow  of 
Paredes,  and  to  the  establishment  of  a  government  more 
favorable  to  peace  ;  but  this  proved  to  be  a  mistake.* 
Paredes  originally  came  into  power  as  the  friend  of 
war ;  yet  the  very  men  who  were  the  most  active  in 
deposing  him  were  compelled  to  make  similar  profes 
sions.  The  popular  feeling  was  warlike,  and  the  army 
were  dissatisfied  in  consequence  of  their  reverses. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  private  sentiments  of 
Santa  Anna,  however  much  he  was  inclined  to  peace, 

*  Annual  Message  of  President  Polk,  December,  1846 :  Special  Mes 
sage  and  accompanying  documents,  January  12,  1848. 


184  OVERTURES    FOR    PEACE. 

he  could  never  have  regained  any  part  of  his  formei 
influence,  except  as  the  decided  supporter  of  wai 
measures.  He  was  too  wise  not  to  understand  that 
the  true  policy  of  his  country  should  have  been  the 
restoration  of  peace,  but  he  was  also  too  ambitious  not 
to  yield  to  the  current  bearing  every  thing  before  it. 
He  was  not  ignorant  of  the  prevailing  fondness  of  the 
Mexican  people  for  military  heroes,  and  he  well  knew 
that  his  own  fame  must  be  rejuvenated,  and  the  laurels 
which  had  been  withered  at  San  Jacinto,  restored  to 
their  original  freshness,  before  he  could  succeed  in  guid 
ing  or  controlling  them.  Had  he  been  able  to  have 
achieved  one  victory, — had  he  forced  his  way  through 
the  wall  of  living  men  who  blocked  up  the  narrow 
pass  of  Angostura,  or  maintained  his  position  on  the 
heights  of  Cerro  Gordo,  he  would  have  been  hailed 
with  loud  acclaim  as  the  saviour  of  his  country.  At 
such  an  hour,  and  under  such  circumstances,  he  might 
have  recommended  peace,  and  his  advice  would  have 
been  followed  without  hesitation. 

As  soon  as  it  became  known  that  a  new  government 
had  been  established  in  Mexico,  the  olive  branch  was 
again  tendered  to  her.  Mr.  Buchanan  addressed  a 
letter  to  the  Mexican  minister  of  foreign  relations,  on 
the  27th  of  July  1846,  proposing  that  negotiations 
should  be  opened  for  the  conclusion  of  a  peace.  The 
minister,  Mr.  Rejon,  replied  on  the  31st  of  August, 
declining  any  action  in  the  premises,  except  that  of 
simply  laying  the  proposition  before  the  Congress  to 
assemble  in  December.*  The  result  of  this  attempt  to 
open  negotiations  between  the  two  countries  for  the 
adjustment  of  their  difficulties,  was  not  known  at 

*  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  4,  (pp.  40,  et  seq.)  2nd  Session,  29th 
Congress. 


EVACUATION  OF  MONTEREY.  185 

the  time  of  the  capitulation  at  Monterey.  A  govern 
ment  supposed  to  be  more  favorable  to  peace  was  in 
existence,  and  friendly  overtures  had  been  made.  For 
this  reason  the  request  of  Ampudia  for  an  armistice 
was  granted  by  General  Taylor  and  the  American 
commissioners. 

On  the  25th  of  September  the  citadel  in  front  of 
Monterey  was  occupied  by  a  detachment  of  the  Amer 
ican  army  under  Colonel  P.  F.  Smith,  and  the  Mexi 
can  troops  soon  after  evacuated  the  town.  Ampudia 
retired  with  his  forces  to  Saltillo.  He  endeavored  to 
prevail  upon  the  inhabitants  to  fortify  the  place  and 
prepare  for  resistance.  Being  unsuccessful,  he  pro 
ceeded  with  the  main  body  of  his  army  to  San  Luis 
Potosi,  where  he  was  placed  in  arrest,  arid  ordered  to 
be  tried  by  a  court  martial,  for  neglecting  to  maintain 
his  position  at  Monterey. 

Thirty-five  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  Inrge  amount  of 
ammunition,  were  surrendered  to  General  Taylor  in 
pursuance  of  the  terms  of  the  capitulation.  The  loss 
sustained  by  his  army  before  Monterey  was  488;  eigh 
teen  officers  were  killed,  or  subsequently  died  of 
their  wounds,*  and  twenty-six  were  wounded  ;  there 
were  one  hundred  and  eight  men  killed,  and  three 
hundred  and  thirty-seven  wounded.  The  loss  of  the 
enemy  was  not  ascertained,  but  was  supposed  to  exceed 
five  hundred. 

*  The  names  of  the  officers  killed  were,  Captain  Williams,  topo 
graphical  engineers ;  Lieutenant  Terrett.  1st  infantry;  Major  B arbour, 
Captains  Morris  and  Field,  Lieutenants  Irwin  and  Hazlitt,  3rd  infantry  ; 
Lieutenants  Hoskins  and  Woods,  4th  infantry;  Captain  M'Kavett,  8th 
infantry ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Watson.  Baltimore  and  Washington  bat 
talion  ;  Captain  Battlem  and  Lieutenant  Putnam,  1st  Tennessee ;  Lieu 
tenant  Hett,  Ohio  regiment;  and  Captain  Gillespie,  Texan  volunteers. 
Lieutenant  Dilworth,  1st  infantry,  Major  Lear,  3rd  infantry,  and  Lieut. 
Graham,  4th  infantry,  died  of  their  wounds  after  the  occupation  of  the  city. 


180  MARCH    OF    GENERAL    WOOL. 

Immediately  after  the  passage  of  the  act  of  May  13, 
1846,  General  Wool  was  ordered  to  muster  into  service 
the  volunteers  from  Ohio,  Illinois,  Indiana,  Kentucky, 
Tennessee  and  Mississippi.  In  the  brief  period  of  six 
weeks  fourteen  and  a  half  regiments  were  organized, 
and  on  their  way  to  the  seat  of  war.  Ten  thousand 
men  were  sent  to  reinforce  General  Taylor,  and  the 
remainder,  about  twenty-five  hundred  in  number,  were 
ordered  to  San  Antonio  de  Bexar.  General  Wool 
landed  at  La  Vaca  on  Matagorda  Bay,  on  the  2nd  of 
August,  writh  the  1st  and  2nd  Illinois  regiments,  and 
from  thence  marched  to  the  appointed  rendezvous  of  his 
division.  Colonel  Harney,  of  the  2nd  dragoons,  had 
been  previously  stationed  at  San  Antonio  with  a  small 
force  of  regular  cavalry,  and  several  companies  of 
Texan  volunteers,  for  the  protection  of  the  frontier 
from  Indian  incursions.  The  other  regiments  and  de 
tachments  ordered  to  join  General  Wool  arrived  during 
the  month  of  August.  Several  weeks  were  spent  in 
hauling  the  supplies  for  the  army  from  La  Vaca,  the 
nearest  point  to  San  Antonio  on  the  Gulf;  but  the  time 
was  profitably  employed  in  organizing  and  drilling  the 
command  preparatory  to  taking  the  field. 

All  things  being  made  ready,  the  advance  of  the 
army  of  the  centre,  under  Colonel  Harney,  marched 
from  San  Antonio  on  the  26th  of  September.  General 
Wool  left  on  the  29th  ;  the  1st  Illinois  regiment  under 
Colonel  Hardin  marched  on  the  2nd  of  October ;  and 
the  rear  under  Colonel  Churchill,  Inspector-general, 
followed  in  a  few  days,  consisting  of  the  2nd  Illinois 
and  various  detachments  belonging  to  the  different 
corps.*  From  San  Antonio  the  route  lay  westward  to 

*  The  central  division,  under  General  Wool,  consisted  of  four  com 
panies  of  the  2nd  dragoons,  Colonel  Harney ;  one  company  of  the  4th 


DISCIPLINE    OF    HIS    TROOPS.  187 

the  Rio  Grande  opposite  Presidio,  a  distance  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty-seven  miles,  through  a  tract  of  coun 
try  about  equally  divided  into  fertile  prairies,  sandy 
barrens,  and  marshy  chaparrals.  Boats  had  been  con 
structed  at  San  Antonio  for  crossing  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  transported  over  land.  The  passage  of  the  river, 
therefore,  was  effected  without  difficulty,  on  the  10th 
of  October. 

General  Wool  anticipated  resistance  on  entering  the 
enemy's  country,  but  was  amply  prepared  to  meet  it. 
His  men  were  well  provided,  and  in  a  fine  state  of  dis 
cipline.  The  rules  and  regulations  which  he  laid  down 
and  enforced  were  often  regarded  as  being  too  harsh 
and  severe,  but  they  contributed  materially  to  preserve 
the  health  and  efficiency  of  his  command.  Every  halt 
or  delay  was  improved  in  drilling  and  manoeuvring  the 
troops ;  complaints  were  loud  and  frequent  among  the 
volunteers  ;  yet  their  commander  would  permit  no  re 
laxation.  Himself  a  soldier  in  every  sense  of  the  word, 
he  knew  what  constituted  the  real  strength  of  an  army. 
He  would  not  suffer  the  discipline  of  his  command  to 
be  neglected  upon  any  consideration,  and  those  who 
complained  the  most  bitterly  learned  to  bless  the  cau 
tious  foresight  that  saved  them  from  utter  destruction 
on  the  bloody  field  of  Buena  Vista.* 

Leaving  the  Rio  Grande  at  Presidio,  General  Wool 
marched  through  Nava  and  San  Fernando  to  Santa 

artillery,  Captain  Washington,  with  eight  pieces,  two  twelve  pounders, 
and  the  remainder  six  pounders;  battalion  of  6th  infantry,  Major  Bonne- 
ville;  Colonel  Yell's  regiment  Arkansas  mounted  volunteers ;  1st  Illinois 
infantry,  Colonel  Hardin ;  2nd  Illinois,  Colonel  Bissell ;  and  one  com 
pany  of  Kentucky  Cavalry,  and  one  of  Texan  volunteers.  Total 
strength,  2,829. 

*  See  the  Correspondence  between  General  Wool  and  the  Illinon 
volunteers,  June,  1847. 


188  ARRIVAL    AT    MONCLOVA. 

Rosa,  taking  peaceable  possession  of  the  different  towns 
on  his  route ;  the  Mexican  population  neither  possess 
ing  the  means,  nor  the  inclination,  to  oppose  his  move 
ments.  At  Santa  Rosa  he  unexpectedly  found  an  im 
passable  barrier  to  his  further  advance  in  the  direction 
of  Chihuahua.  The  tall  peaks  of  the  Sierra  Gorda, 
fringed  with  cedars,  and  concealing  countless  stores  of 
wealth  within  their  bosoms,  towered  to  the  very  clouds 
before  him,  and  looked  down  frowningly  upon  the  ste 
rile  plains,  the  fertile  valleys,  the  beautiful  haciendas 
and  olive  groves,  of  Coahuila.  There  was  no  pathway 
through  the  mountains,  and  to  storm  that  mighty  breast 
work  which  nature  had  reared,  was  beyond  the  power 
and  skill  of  his  soldiers.  He  therefore  turned  aside  to 
Monclova,  the  ancient  capital  of  the  province,  where 
he  arrived  on  the  29th  of  October.  The  Spanish  in 
habitants  of  this  town  are  wealthy,  intelligent  and  re 
fined,  hospitable  and  courteous.  The  American  army 
were  received  and  treated  with  marked  kindness  and 
condescension ;  and  on  informing  General  Taylor,  then 
at  Monterey,  of  his  arrival  at  Monclova,  General  Wool 
was  directed  to  remain  there  until  further  orders. 

Immediately  upon  his  landing  at  Vera  Cruz,  Santa 
Anna  issued  a  proclamation  containing  similar  senti 
ments  with  those  communicated  to  his  friends,  while  he 
was  at  Havana,  and  retired  temporarily  to  his  hacienda 
of  Mango  de  Clavo,  where  he  remained  until  the  month 
of  September.  He  then  set  out  for  the  city  of  Mexico, 
and  arrived  at  Ayotla,  on  the  14th  of  September.  At 
this  place  he  received  a  communication  offering  him 
the  supreme  executive  power,  or  dictatorship,  of  the 
republic,  in  the  name  of  the  provisional  government. 
This  was  accepted  on  the  same  day,  and  he  thus  be 
came,  as  he  styled  himself,  u  the  Commander  in  Chief 


MEXICAN    ARMY    AT    BAN    LUIS    POTOSI.  189 

of  the  Liberating  Army  of  Mexico."  On  the  15th  of 
September  he  entered  the  capital  amid  the  congratula 
tions  of  his  fellow-citizens,  thousands  of  whom  assem- 
oled  to  celebrate  the  re-establishment  of  the  federal 
constitution,  to  join  in  "the  glorious  cry  of  Dolores," 
and  to  welcome  the  soldier  and  hero  whom  they  already 
fancied  as  their  deliverer.  Decrees  had  been  previously 
issued  providing  for  the  increase  of  the  forces,  their 
supply  and  equipment ;  and  Santa  Anna  hastened 
directly  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  northern  army  at 
San  Luis  Potosi,  to  receive  the  new  levies,  and  con 
duct  the  future  operations  of  the  war  in  that  quarter. 
The  spirit  of  the  nation  was  aroused.  San  Luis  was 
soon  filled  to  overflowing  with  troops,  and  even  the 
women  came  down  in  crowds,  from  San  Diego  and 
Tlascala,  to  cheer  the  soldiers  by  their  presence,  and 
encourage  them  by  their  approving  words  and  smiles. 

On  the  second  of  September  a  dispatch  was  for 
warded  to  General  Taylor  from  the  War  Department, 
directing  him  to  make  preparations  for  an  expedition 
against  Tampico,  to  be  commanded  by  General  Pat 
terson,  in  which  allusions  were  made  to  an  advance 
upon  San  Luis  Potosi  if  found  practicable.  This  dis 
patch  was  intercepted  by  the  enemy,  and  prepara 
tions  \vere  forthwith  made  by  the  Mexican  forces  at 
San  Luis  to  check  the  advance  of  the  American  army, 
which  was  supposed  to  be  in  contemplation.  Deeming 
it  impossible  to  hold  Tampico,  the  garrison  was  with 
drawn  on  the  27th  of  October.  Early  in  November 
Santa  Anna  was  officially  notified  by  General  Taylor 
that  the  armistice  would  terminate  on  the  13th  instant, 
and  that  hostilities  would  thereupon  be  recommenced. 
The  work  on  the  fortifications  erected  at  San  Luis  was 
now  prosecuted  as  rapidly  as  possible ;  the  water-tanks 


190  OCCUPATION  or  BALTILLO. 

on  the  road  leading  from  Saltillo  were  destroyed ;  ancf 
General  Minon  was  ordered  with  a  body  of  cavalry  to 
hold  that  route  in  observation,  while  General  Urrea  was 
sent  to  Tula  with  a  similar  force,  to  keep  watch  over 
the  passes  in  the  vicinity  of  Tampico  and  Victoria.* 

General  Taylor  remained  quietly  at  Monterey  for 
several  weeks  after  the  capitulation.  Occasional  ex 
cesses  were  committed  by  some  of  the  lawless  volun 
teers  under  his  command ;  but  this  evil  was  promptly 
checked  by  an  order  forbidding  their  free  ingress  into 
the  town.  The  main  body  of  the  troops  were  en 
camped  at  Walnut  Springs,  and  the  city  occupied  by 
a  garrison  detailed  for  that  purpose.  On  the  5th  of 
November  he  notified  Santa  Anna  that  the  armistice 
would  terminate  previous  to  the  expiration  of  the  time 
specified  in  the  articles  of  capitulation,  in  accordance 
with  instructions  received  from  the  War  Department ; 
and  on  the  13th  he  advanced  towards  Saltillo,  the  cap 
ital  of  Coahuila,  about  seventy  miles  beyond  Monterey, 
accompanied  by  General  Worth  with  about  1200  men 
under  his  command.  General  Taylor  regarded  the 
occupation  of  this  town  as  being  of  the  highest  impor 
tance.  It  appeared  to  be  a  necessary  outpost  to  Mon 
terey,  and  covered  both  the  defile  leading  from  the 
lower  country  to  the  table  land  in  the  interior,  and  the 

*  It  is  stated  in  a  letter  written  from  Mexico,  that  Santa  Anna  col 
lected  his  army  at  San  Luis  Potosi,  with  the  intention  of  advancing 
against  General  Taylor,  (Frost's  Life  of  General  Taylor,  p.  214.)  The 
movements  of  the  Mexican  commander  do  not  appear  to  justify  any 
such  conclusion.  He  expected  to  be  attacked,  and  znade  preparations 
to  defend  his  position.  Indeed,  after  the  dispatch  of  the  2nd  of  Sep 
tember  was  intercepted,  he  could  have  formed  no  other  opinion.  Gen 
eral  Taylor  did  not  advance,  and  when  a  portion  of  his  troops  were 
withdrawn,  and  the  Mexican  people  began  to  complain  on  account 
of  the  delay,  Santa  Anna  moved  forward  with  hia  army,  but  not  until 
that  time. 


V 
GENERAL  WOOL  ORDERED  TO  PARRA9.      191 

road  to  Parras,  situated  in  one  of  the  richest  sections 
of  northern  Mexico,  and  from  which  large  supplies  of 
cattle  and  breadstuffs  could  be  drawn  if  required.  No 
opposition  was  made  to  the  occupation  of  Saltillo,  the 
governor  of  the  State  contenting  himself  with  a  mere 
protest.  General  Worth  was  left  in  command,  and 
General  Taylor  returned  to  Monterey. 

Tampico  was  taken  without  opposition,  by  a  por 
tion  of  the  Gulf  squadron,  on  the  14th  of  November, 
and  soon  after  garrisoned  by  eight  companies  of  artil 
lery,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Belton,  and  a  regiment 
of  Alabama  volunteers,  well  supplied  with  heavy  ord 
nance  and  provisions,  the  whole  commanded  by  Gene 
ral  Shields.  Towards  the  close  of  the  month  General 
Wool  was  ordered  with  his  force  to  Parras,  where  he 
experienced  the  same  kind  treatment  from  the  inhabit 
ants  which  he  had  met  at  Monclova.  He  lay  encamped 
for  a  number  of  weeks  in  the  Alameda;  every  atten 
tion  was  paid  to  his  wants ;  and  whenever  his  men 
were  sick,  he  was  invited  by  the  citizens  to  bring  them 
into  their  houses.  Saltillo  and  Santa  Fe  being  in  pos 
session  of  the  American  troops,  it  was  not  thought  ad 
visable  for  him  to  proceed  to  Chihuahua,  as  that  town 
could  be  occupied  at  any  moment  if  it  should  be  found 
necessary. 

The  distance  from  Saltillo  to  San  Luis  Potosi  is  not 
far  from  three  hundred  miles,  and  for  a  greater  part  of 
the  way  very  poorly  supplied  with  water.  General 
Taylor  early  formed  the  opinion  that  a  march  to  San 
Luis  would  not  be  expedient,  but  that  if  the  war  was 
to  be  prosecuted,  an  expedition  against  VeraCruz,  and 
an  advance  movement  from  thence  in  the  direction  of 
the  capital,  would  be  preferable.  These  views  were 


192  MARCH    tO   VICTORIA. 

communicated  at  different  times  to  his  government.* 
In  anticipation  of  receiving  the  necessary  orders  to  pre 
pare  a  part  of  the  troops  under  his  command  for  the 
expedition,  he  left  Monterey  for  Victoria,  the  capital  of 
Tamaulipas,  with  all  his  disposable  forces,  under  the 
command  of  Generals  Twiggs  and  Quitman,  on  the 
15th  of  December,  having  already  directed  General 
Patterson  to  join  him  at  that  place  with  the  regiment 
of  Tennessee  cavalry,  and  two  regiments  of  volunteer 
infantry.  General  Butler  remained  in  command  of  the 
reserve  at  Monterey.  At  Montemorelos  General  Tay 
lor  effected  a  junction  with  the  2nd  infantry  under  Col 
onel  Riley,  and  the  2nd  Tennessee  foot.  While  here 
he  received  a  dispatch  from  General  Worth,  informing 
him  that  Saltillo  was  threatened  by  Santa  Anna,  who 
was  within  three  days'  march,  and  that  he  could  hold 
the  position  for  that  time  against  any  force  that  might 
be  brought  against  him,  but  would  require  assistance 
on  the  fourth  day.  General  Quitman  was  ordered  to 
continue  his  march  to  Victoria  with  the  volunteers, 
reinforced  by  a  field  battery,  and  General  Taylor  re 
turned  to  Monterey  with  the  regulars  under  General 
Twiggs. 

Generals  Butler  and  Wool  had  also  been  advised  of 
the  threatened  attack  on  Saltillo,  and  had  moved  rapidly 

*  "  I  am  decidedly  opposed  to  carrying  the  war  beyond  Saltillo  in  this 
direction,  which  place  has  been  entirely  abandoned  by  the  Mexican 
forces,  all  of  whom  have  been  concentrated  at  San  Luis  Potosi.  *  *  *  * 
If  we  are,  (in  the  language  of  Mr.  Polk  and  General  Scott,)  under  the 
necessity  of '  conquering  a  peace,' — and  that  by  taking  the  Capital  of 
the  country,— we  must  goto  Vera  Cruz,  take  that  place,  and  then  march 
on  the  city  of  Mexico." — Letter  of  General  Taylor  to  General  Gaines, 
November  5,  1847.  See  also,  General  Taylor's  letters  to  the  Adjutant 
General,  dated  July  2nd,  October  15th,  November  8th,  9th,  and  12th, 
and  December  8th,  and  to  President  Polk  dated  August  1st,  in  House 
of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  2nd  session,  29th  Congress, 


THREATENED    ATTACK    ON    8ALTILLO.  193 

to  join  General  Worth  with  all  their  available  forces. 
General  Wool  received  the  intelligence  on  the  even 
ing  of  the  17th,  and  in  two  hours  his  whole  army  was 
in  motion.  He  was  three  nights  upon  the  road,  and 
his  men  were  aroused  at  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  to 
resume  the  march.  When  they  arrived  near  Saltillo, 
his  soldiers,  who  had  confidently  anticipated  a  battle, 
were  much  chagrined  to  find  that  the  alarm  proved 
to  be  unfounded.  On  the  21st  of  December  General 
Wool  took  position  with  his  command  at  Agua  Nueva, 
a  small  rancho  seventeen  miles  south  of  Saltillo  and 
near  the  great  pass  through  the  mountains,  in  order  to 
hold  the  approaches  from  San  Luis  in  observation. 

On  his  way  to  Saltillo  General  Taylor  was  informed 
that  the  position  was  no  longer  in  danger.  He  there 
fore  retraced  his  steps  to  the  camp  near  Monterey,  and 
in  a  few  da}s  again  started  for  Victoria.  At  Monte- 
morelos,an  officer  of  the  topographical  engineers,  with 
a  squadron  of  cavalry,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  May, 
was  dispatched  to  reconnoitre  a  pass  through  the  moun 
tains  to  Labradores,  and  thence  to  Linares.  The 
reconnaissance  was  effected,  but  on  the  return  of  the 
party  to  Linares,  the  baggage  and  ten  men  of  the  rear 
guard  were  cut  off  in  a  narrow  pass  beyond  San  Pedro. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  May  dismounted  a  portion  of  the 
squadron  and  repassed  the  defile,  in  the  hope  of  rescu 
ing  his  men.  Occasional  shots  were  fired  upon  him 
from  the  cliffs  overhead,  but  he  did  not  encounter  the 
enemy. 

General  Quitman  occupied  Victoria  without  resist 
ance  on  the  29th  of  December.  A  body  of  the  ene 
my's  cavalry,  numbering  about  1,500,  and  belonging  to 
a  strong  division  of  observation  stationed  at  Tula  un 
der  General  Valencia,  were  in  the  town  when  he  ap- 


194  LINE    OF    THE    SIERRA    MADRE. 

preached,  but  retired  before  he  came  up,  to  Jamauve. 
General  Taylor  arrived  on  the  4th  of  January  with  the 
regulars  under  General  Twiggs,  and  was  joined  on  the 
same  day  by  General  Patterson  with  the  regiments 
ordered  from  Matamoras.  The  united  force  amounted 
to  more  than  5,000  men.  With  the  possession  of  Vic 
toria,  every  prominent  town  on  the  line  of  the  Sierra 
Madre,  between  Saltillo  and  Tampico,  was  occupied 
by  General  Taylor  with  the  forces  under  his  command. 


COMMODORE  CONNER. 


10 


CHAPTER  VI 

NAVAL    OPERATIONS    IN    THE    GULF. 

The  American  Navy — The  Home  Squadron — Blockade  of  the  Mexican 
Ports — Loss  of  the  Truxton — Laws  passed  by  the  Government  of 
Mexico  to  encourage  Privateering — Attempt  against  Alvarado — At 
tack  on  Tabasco — Occupation  of  Tampico — Burning  of  the  Creole- 
Wreck  of  the  Somers — Capture  of  Laguna. 

WHEN  the  American  people  shall  forget  how  freely 
the  generous  blood  of  Lawrence  and  Decatur  was 
shed  in  maintaining  their  rights,  and  defending  their 
flag, — when  the  valor  and  intrepidity  of  Porter  and 
H  ill,  of  Perry  and  Macdonough,  and  the  brave  asso 
ciates  who  shared  their  dangers,  and  contributed  to 
their  renown,  are  no  longer  remembered, — then,  but 
not  until  then,  will  the  navy  upon  which  they  have 
never  yet  relied  in  vain,  cease  to  occupy  the  prominent 
place  in  their  estimation  and  regard,  which  it  has  so 
long  maintained.  If  the  country  had  derived  no  other 
benefit  from  its  organization,  the  security  rendered  to 
her  commerce  would  be  an  ample  repayment  for  every 
outlay  ;  but,  in  addition  to  this,  we  are  indebted  to  it, 
in  no  unimportant  degree,  for  the  deference  and  respect 
manifested  by  the  nations  of  the  world  in  their  inter 
course  with  us.  The  officers  and  seamen  of  our  navy 
have  shown  themselves,  on  repeated  occasions,  and 
under  the  most  trying  circumstances,  to  be  prompt  and 
zealous  in  the  performance  of  their  duty.  We  have 
learned  to  look  upon  them  as  the  appointed  guardians 


196  THE    HOME    SQUADRON. 

of  the  national  honor,  on  other  shores,  and  in  foreign 
lands ;  and  it  is  something  of  which  they  may  well 
be  proud,  that  they  have  never  proved  faithless  to 
their  trust. 

On  the  day  of  the  passage  of  the  act  declaring  that 
war  existed  with  Mexico,  Commodore  Conner  was 
officially  notified  of  the  event,  and  instructed  to  block 
ade  the  Mexican  ports  on  the  Gulf;  his  attention  be 
ing  more  particularly  directed  to  that  part  of  the  coast 
between  the  Goatzacoalcos  and  the  Rio  Grande.* 
Several  vessels  of  war  were  also  dispatched,  as  soon 
as  they  could  be  got  in  readiness,  to  reinforce  the 
squadron  under  his  command. f  Anterior  to  this  he 
had  rendered  important  services  to  the  army  of  oc 
cupation,  commanded  by  General  Taylor,  in  their 
operations  on  the  Rio  Grande ;  and  upon  the  reception 
of  his  instructions,  he  prepared  at  once  to  carry  them 
into  effect.  Most  of  the  time,  during  the  summer 
months,  was  spent  in  discharging  the  inactive,  and 
sometimes  irksome  duties  of  the  blockade,  varied  but 
rarely  by  any  incident  of  more  than  ordinary  moment. 
Commodore  Conner  made  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to 
capture  the  port  of  Alvarado,  on  the  7th  of  August, 
1846  ;  none  of  his  vessels  being  of  sufficiently  light 
draught  to  cross  the  bar.J  Commander  Carpenter, 

*  This  direction  was  given,  in  order  to  exempt  Yucatan  from  tho 
blockade. 

f  After  the  arrival  of  the  vessels  ordered  to  the  Gulf,  the  Home  Squad 
ron  consisted  of  the  frigates  Cumberland  and  Raritan,  44  guns  each ; 
sloops  of  war,  Falmouth,  John  Adams,  and  St.  Mary's,  20  guns  each ; 
steamer  Mississippi,  10  guns,  (Paixhan)  ;  steamer  Princeton,  9  guns  ; 
brigs  Porpoise,  Somers,  Lawrence,  Perry,  and  Truxton,  10  guns  each ; 
and  the  schooner  Flirt.  Total  number  of  guns,  217. 

^  One  effect  produced  by  the  Gulf  stream  is,  to  cause  the  accumulation 
of  numerous  sand-bars  al-»ng  the  eastern  coast  of  Mexico,  and  especi 
ally  across  the  mouths  of  the  rivers.  But  very  few  of  th«  ports  can  bo 


LAWS    TO    ENTOURAGE    PRIVATEERING.  197 

of  the  brig  Truxton,  was  still  more  unfortunate,  in  a 
similar  enterprise  against  Tuspan,  on  the  15th  of  the 
same  month.  His  vessel  grounded  on  the  bar  at  the 
mouth  of  the  river  ;  every  effort  was  made  to  get  her 
off,  but  all  proved  of  no  avail.  It  was  found  impos 
sible  to  save  her,  and  she  was  abandoned.  Lieuten 
ant  Hunter  made  his  escape  with  a  boat's  crew,  to 
another  vessel  of  the  squadron,  and  the  remaining 
officers  and  men  surrendered  to  the  enemy,  but  were 
afterwards  exchanged,  at  the  instance  of  the  Mexican 
government,  for  General  La  Vega,  and  other  prisoners 
taken  by  General  Taylor. 

Though  it  may  not  have  been  often  expressed  in 
words,  it  is  certain  that  a  very  general  feeling  of  regret 
was  entertained  throughout  the  country,  when  it  be 
came  known,  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities 
with  Mexico,  that  no  opportunity  would  be  afforded  to 
the  navy  for  the  performance  of  distinguished  services 
upon  their  own  appropriate  theatre.  Mexico  was  al 
most  without  a  naval  establishment ;  her  marine  con 
sisting  only  of  a  few  brigs,  small  steamers,  and  gunboats, 
intended  rather  for  coast  and  harbor  defence,  than  for 
offensive  operations  on  the  ocean.  Soon  after  the  re 
turn  of  Santa  Anna,  however,  a  plan  was  devised  for 
annoying  American  commerce,  which  it  was  thought, 
at  one  time,  would  afford  an  opportunity  for  our  navy 
to  display  its  unquestioned  gallantry  and  heroism.  On 
the  llth  of  September,  a  special  decree  was  enacted 
by  the  Mexican  Congress,  for  the  naturalization  of  for 
eigners,  and  on  the  24th  instant,  regulations  were  es 
tablished  for  privateering,  under  which  prize  letters 

entered  at  all,  except  by  vessels  of  light  draught,  unless  with  the  assist 
ance  of  camels ;  and  the  principal  harbor,  the  bay  of  Vera  Cruz,  ha« 
been  justly  called  "  nothing  more  than  a  bad  roadstead.'' 


198        ATTEMPT  TO  CAPTURE  ALVARADO. 

were  issued  by  General  Salas,  then  charged  with  the 
supreme  executive  power.  Officers  in  the  Mexican 
service  were  sent  to  Havana,  and  other  ports,  with 
blank  commissions  for  privateers,  letters  of  citizenship, 
and  naturalization  papers  for  crews,  which  were  offered 
for  sale.  The  prompt  measures  taken  by  the  Captain 
General,  in  conformity  with  the  stipulations  of  the 
treaty  between  Spain  and  the  United  States,  to  pre 
vent  the  fitting  out  of  privateers  in  the  harbors  on  the 
island  of  Cuba,  and  the  absence  of  sufficient  pecuniary 
inducements  to  risk  a  capture  by  the  American  men- 
of-war,  rendered  the  attempt  of  the  Mexican  govern 
ment  entirely  abortive.* 

Small  steamers  and  schooners  adapted  for  entering 
the  harbors  in  the  Gulf,  were  purchased  for  the  use  of 
the  Home  Squadron,  in  the  fall  of  1846 ;  and  on  the 
15th  of  October,  Commodore  Conner  made  a  second 
effort  to  capture  Alvarado.  The  entrance  of  the  river 
was  defended  by  several  batteries  that  opened  a  brisk 
fire  on  the  American  vessels,  which  attempted  to  cross 
the  bar  in  two  divisions.  The  first,  consisting  of  the 
schooners  Reefer  and  Bonita,  towed  by  the  steamer 
Vixen,  crossed  in  safety,  and  engaged  with  the  bat 
teries  ;  the  steamer  Mississippi,  commanded  by  Com 
modore  Matthew  C.  Perry,  having  also  gained  a  favor 
able  position,  brought  her  heavy  guns  to  bear,  and 
nearly  destroyed  one  of  the  enemy's  breastworks  ;  but 
unfortunately,  the  steamer  Me  Lane,  with  the  schooners 
Nonata  and  Petrel,  and  the  revenue  cutter  Forward,  in 
tow,  comprising  the  second  division,  grounded  on  the 
bar,  and  the  enterprise  was  again  defeated.  Commo 
dore  Conner  thought  it  would  be  imprudent  to  go  for- 

*  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  4,  (pp.  40,  et  seq.)  2nd  session,  29th 
Congress. 


CAPTURE    OF    FRONTEIRA.  199 

ward  with  the  first  division  alone,  and  reluctantly  or 
dered  it  to  retire. 

On  the  following  day  Commodore  Perry  sailed  for 
Tabasco  with  the  steamer  Mississippi  and  the  small 
vessels.  This  town  is  the  capital  of  the  State  of  the 
same  name,  one  of  the  richest  and  most  fertile  in  Mex 
ico,  and  is  especially  celebrated  for  its  exportation  of 
spice,  produced  in  the  extensive  forests  near  the  river 
Baraderas.  It  is  situated  on  the  river  Goatzacoalcos, 
about  eighty  miles  in  the  interior,  and  has  formerly  pos 
sessed  considerable  trade,  mainly  carried  on  by  foreign 
merchants.  The  small  town  of  Fronteira  lies  near  the 
mouth  of  the  river  seventy-four  miles  below  Tabasco, 
and,  in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  was  a  famous  place 
of  rendezvous  for  the  vessels  and  steamers  of  the  enemy 
engaged  in  bringing  munitions  of  war  from  Yucatan 
into  Mexico. 

Commodore  Perry  arrived  off  the  debouchure  of  the 
Goatzacoalcos  on  the  23rd  of  October.  The  Missis 
sippi  remained  at  anchor  outside,  in  charge  of  Com 
mander  Adams,  while  the  Commodore  crossed  the  bar 
in  the  Vixen,  Captain  Sands,  having  in  tow  the  Bonita, 
Lieutenant  Benham,  and  Forward,  Captain  Nones,  and 
several  barges  containing  a  detachment  of  sailors  and 
marines  organized  for  service  on  shore,  if  required,  un 
der  Captain  Forrest.  The  Nonata,  Lieutenant  Haz 
ard,  followed  under  sail.  Notwithstanding  her  heavy 
drag,  the  Vixen  steadily  ascended  the  stream  against  a 
four-knot  current.  On  arriving  near  Fronteira,  they 
found  that  the  alarm  had  been  given,  though  the  enemy 
were  unprepared  for  resistance.  Two  steamers  were 
discovered  firing  up,  in  order  to  make  their  escape  by 
ascending  the  river ;  but  it  was  too  late.  The  Vixen 
cast  off  her  tow  in  an  instant,  and  darted  in  advance, 


200  ATTACK    ON    TOBASCO. 

with  the  other  vessels  and  barges  following  quickly  in 
her  wake.  No  attempt  was  made  to  defend  the  town, 
or  the  Mexican  vessels  in  the  port,  all  which  were 
captured  by  the  Americans.  The  schooner  Amada 
endeavored  to  get  up  the  river ;  but  she  was  pursued 
by  the  Bonita,  and  easily  overtaken. 

Being  anxious  to  reach  Tabasco  before  the  enemy  had 
time  to  strengthen  their  defences,  Commodore  Perry 
ordered  the  detachment  under  Captain  Forrest  to  be 
transferred  to  the  Petrita,  the  largest  of  the  captured 
steamers,  which  also  took  in  tow  the  Nonata  and  For 
ward,  with  the  barges.  The  Bonita  was  attached  to 
the  Vixen  as  before.  The  flotilla  being  in  readiness, 
they  proceeded  up  the  river  on  the  morning  of  the  24th, 
Lieutenant  Walsh  having  been  left  with  a  party  in 
command  at  Fronteira.  At  nine  o'clock  in  the  fore 
noon  of  the  ensuing  day  they  came  in  sight  of  Fort  Ac- 
cachappa,  erected  to  command  a  difficult  pass  in  the 
river,  where  the  high  and  steep  banks  approached 
nearer  to  each  other,  and  the  graceful  branches  of  the 
cotton-wood,  the  fan-like  leaves  of  the  palmetto,  the 
velvet  foliage  of  the  magnolia,  and  the  lorig  trailing 
moss,  growing  upon  the  opposite  shores,  mingled  their 
rich  hues  together  in  the  watery  mirror  beneath  them. 
Anticipating  resistance  at  this  point,  arrangements  were 
made  to  land  Captain  Forrest  with  his  detachment, 
when  it  was  found  that  the  men  had  fled  who  were 
employed  in  preparing  the  guns  in  the  fort  for  service. 
After  spiking  the  artillery  the  fleet  passed  on  its  way 
unmolested.  At  noon  the  whole  flotilla  anchored  in 
front  of  Tabasco,  within  musket  range  of  the  town,  and 
formed  in  line  of  battle.  Captain  Forrest  was  immedi 
ately  sent  on  shore  with  a  flag  to  summon  the  city  to 


REFUSAL    TO    CAPITULATE.  201 

surrender  ;  and  in  the  meantime  five  merchant  vessels 
found  at  anchor  in  the  river  were  secured. 

The  governor  of  Tabasco  was  inclined  to  be  exceed 
ingly  valiant  of  speech,  though  very  careful  that  his 
tory  should  chronicle  no  exhibition  of  his  daring  and 
prowess  in  defending  the  State  from  invasion  ;  and  in 
reply  to  Commodore  Perry,  he  not  only  refused  to 
capitulate,  but  invited  him  to  open  his  fire  as  soon 
as  he  pleased.  The  town  was  completely  at  the  mercy 
of  the  American  vessels  ;  but  the  Commodore  was  un 
willing  to  destroy  it,  and  therefore  ordered  the  guns  of 
the  Vixen  to  be  fired  at  the  flag-staff  and  over  the 
houses.  At  the  third  discharge  the  flag-staff  was  seen 
to  fall,  whereupon  Captain  Forrest  again  went  ashore 
to  inquire  whether  it  had  been  shot  away  or  struck  by 
the  enemy.  He  was  informed  that  it  had  been  cut 
down  by  the  shot,  and  that  the  city  would  not  be  sur 
rendered.  The  firing  was  now  renewed,  and  the  de 
tachment  of  sailors  and  marines  landed  under  cover  of 
the  guns.  Captain  Forrest  took  a  position  in  the  town 
with  his  command,  notwithstanding  a  scattering  fire  of 
musketry  from  the  enemy,  and  remained  there  until 
the  approach  of  evening,  when  Commodore  Perry  di 
rected  the  party  to  return  to  the  vessels,  fearing  that 
they  might  be  cut  oft'  in  the  narrow  streets  after  dark, 
as  they  were  unused  to  this  kind  of  warfare,  and 
would  naturally  be  too  indifferent  to  their  personal 
safety  and  security. 

During  the  night  the  American  sailors  lay  at  theii 
quarters,  ready  to  return  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  artil 
lery,  which  it  was  supposed  would  be  planted  in  the 
streets  opening  towards  the  river.  Nothing  of  the  kind 
was  attempted,  although  the  straggling  fire  from  their 
small  arms  was  kept  up,  but  without  producing  any 


202  APPEAL    OF    THE    MERCHANT*. 

alarm,  or  causing  serious  injury.  Soon  after  the  at 
tack  was  renewed  on  the  following  morning,  Commo 
dore  Perry  learned  that  the  foreign  merchants,  who 
had  been  the  greatest  sufferers  from  his  fire,  and  the 
citizens  generally,  were  in  favor  of  an  immediate  cap 
itulation,  but  were  overruled  by  the  governor,  who  ap 
peared  entirely  unconcerned  for  the  safety  of  them  or 
their  property.  An  earnest  appeal  was  made  to  the 
American  commander,  by  the  merchants,  not  to  des 
troy  the  town.  It  \vas  not  designed  to  occupy  the 
place,  in  any  event,  on  account  of  its  insalubrity,  and 
as  the  main  object  of  the  expedition,  the  capture  of 
the  Mexican  vessels,  had  been  accomplished,  the  com 
modore  decided  to  drop  down  the  river  with  his  prizes. 
The  latter  were  soon  got  under  way,  in  advance  of  the 
flotilla,  and  a  white  flag  was  hoisted,  as  a  notice  to 
the  citizens  of  the  town,  that  they  would  not  be  again 
molested.  At  this  moment  it  was  discovered  that  one 
of  the  prizes  in  command  of  Lieutenant  Parker,  had 
drifted  ashore,  and  that  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  had 
collected  behind  the  houses  in  the  vicinity,  and  were 
pouring  volley  after  volley  of  musketry  into  her.  The 
movement  down  the  river  was  forthwith  suspended, 
and  a  general  fire  from  the  flotilla  opened  upon  the 
town.  A  number  of  houses  were  demolished,  and  the 
smoking  ruins  attested  the  severity  of  the  chastisement 
which  had  been  so  cowardly  provoked.  The  enemy's 
fire  was  speedily  silenced.  Lieutenant  Parker  bravely 
defended  his  vessel,  and  succeeded  in  getting  her  afloat, 
with  the  loss  of  one  man  killed,  and  two  wounded. 
Lieutenant  Morris  was  also  killed  while  bearing  an  or 
der  from  the  commodore  to  Lieutenant  Parker. 

No  further  attempt  was  made  to  molest  the  Amer 
lean  vessels  or  their  prizes,  and  they  continued  down 


BURNING  OF  THE  CREOLE.  203 

the  river.  On  his  return  to  Fronteira,  Commodore 
Perry  dispatched  his  prizes  that  were  of  sufficient 
value  to  be  manned,  to  Vera  Cruz,  and  destroyed  all 
the  smaller  craft.  The  McLane  and  Forward  were  left 
to  blockade  the  river;  and  on  the  31st,  the  remainder 
of  the  fleet  proceeded  to  rejoin  Commodore  Conner. 

Orders  were  issued  from  the  Navy  Department,  in 
October,  to  capture  and  occupy  Tampico,  with  a  view 
of  masking  an  attack  on  Vera  Cruz  and  the  Castle  of 
San  Juan  de  Ulua,  then  in  contemplation.  In  accord 
ance  therewith,  Commodore  Conner  sailed  for  that  port 
on  the  13th  of  November,  with  a  considerable  portion 
of  his  squadron,  and  on  the  14th  took  possession  of  the 
city,  without  opposition, — the  armed  forces  of  the 
enemy  having  been  previously  withdrawn.* 

During  the  absence  of  the  squadron,  the  brig  Somers, 
Lieutenant  Semmes,  remained  off  Vera  Cruz,  to  con 
tinue  the  blockade.  On  the  evening  of  the  20th  of 
November,  a  most  daring  exploit  was  performed  by 
Lieutenant  Parker,  and  Passed  Midshipmen  Rodgers 
and  Hynson,  belonging  to  the  vessel,  in  a  small  boat 
manned  by  six  men.  Protected  by  the  darkness  of  the 
night,  they  surprised  the  bark  Creole,  which  had  been 
engaged  in  conveying  munitions  of  war  into  the  coun 
try,  in  defiance  of  the  blockade,  as  she  lay  at  anchor, 
beneath  the  walls  of  the  castle.  The  men  left  to  guard 

*  A  number  of  small  vessels  were  also  captured  in  the  harbor  of 
Tampico ;  the  prize  money  for  those  taken  at  this  place  and  at  Tobasco 
amounting  to  about  $2:20,000.  Previous  to  the  capture  of  Tampico, 
Commodore  Conner  received  full  information  in  regard  to  its  defences, 
with  a  plan  of  the  town,  the  forts,  and  the  harbor,  from  Mrs.  Ann  Chase, 
the  wife  of  the  American  Consul.  She  manifested  an  extraordinary 
degree  of  intrepidity  and  determination  on  the  approach  of  the  squad 
ron.  In  spite  of  the  opposition  of  the  ayuntamiento,  (city  counc  ),  she 
persisted  in  hoisting  the  flag  of  her  country,  and  was  neither  mo-.  }d  by 
solicitations,  nor  intimidated  by  menace. 


204  WRECK    OF    THE    SOMER3. 

the  vessel  were  put  on  shore,  and  the  craft  set  on  fire. 
On  the  5th  of  December,  Midshipman  Rodgers,  in  com 
pany  with  Assistant  Surgeon  Wright,  and  one  of  the 
crew,  went  ashore  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy's  mag 
azines.  They  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance 
from  the  beach  when  they  were  surrounded  by  a  party 
of  Mexicans.  Dr.  Wright  fortunately  made  his  es 
cape,  but  his  two  companions  were  taken  prisoners.* 
This  event  was  followed  by  a  still  more  serious  disas 
ter,  on  the  8th  instant.  Indications  of  a  northerly  gale 
were  observed  in  the  evening  of  the  7th,  and  the 
Somers  took  shelter  under  Green  Island.  A  sail  was 
reported  from  aloft  the  next  morning,  and  she  stood 
out  for  several  miles,  when  the  approaching  vessel  was 
ascertained  to  be  the  John  Adams,  on  her  way  back  from 
Tampico,  to  relieve  the  Somers  in  the  blockade.  As 
the  latter  was  returning  to  her  anchorage,  a  suspicious- 
looking  craft  was  discovered  standing  in  for  Vera 
Cruz.  The  canvas  was  crowded  upon  the  Somers,  her 
officers  being  determined  not  to  be  found  remiss  in  their 
duty,  and  all  haste  was  made  to  intercept  the  strange 
vessel.  In  the  effort  to  avoid  the  reef  de  Pajordas,  on 
her  lee,  she  was  overtaken  by  the  norther.  At  the 
first  gust  she  was  thrown  upon  her  beam-ends.  She 
careened  over  rapidly,  and  in  half  an  hour  was  in 
gulfed  beneath  the  angry  billows,  now  howling  and 
hissing  with  the  fury  of  a  Phlegethon.  Acting  Mas- 

*  After  being  transferred  from  one.  place  of  confinement  to  another, 
and  encountering  the  severest  hardships,  Midshipman  Rodgers  succeeded 
in  making  his  escape  in  the  full  of  1847,  from  the  city  of  Mexico,  where 
he  was  then  detained,  and  took  part  with  the  beleaguering  army  under 
General  Scott  in  its  capture,  serving  as  a  volunteer  in  the  staff  of  Gen 
eral  P  .low.  While  a  prisoner  he  obtained  much  important  informa 
tion,  which  was  communicated,  at  different  times,  to  the  American 
office:*. 


CAPTURE  OF    LACUNA.  205 

ter  Clemson  and  Passed  Midshipman  Hynson,  with 
nearly  one  half  of  the  crew,  which  consisted  of  eighty 
persons,  were  carried  down  with  the  vessel,  and  found  a 
watery  grave  on  that  stranger  shore,  "  uncoffined  and 
unaneled."  The  remaining  officers  and  men  were 
picked  up  by  the  John  Adams,  and  the  small  boats 
gallantly  sent  out  from  the  British,  French,  and  Span 
ish  ships  of  war  anchored  in  view  of  the  wreck,  or 
succeeded  in  reaching  the  shore,  where  they  were  taken 
prisoners  by  the  Mexicans. 

On  the  20th  of  December,  Commodore  Perry,  with 
the  Mississippi,  Vixen,  Bonita,  and  Petrel,  took  posses 
sion  of  Laguna,  in  Yucatan,  and  destroyed  the  guns 
and  munitions  of  war  found  in  the  fort  and  town. 
Commander  Sands  was  left  in  charge  with  the  Vixen 
and  Petrel.  Soon  after  this  occurrence,  the  vessels 
belonging  to  the  squadron,  which  could  be  spared  from 
enforcing  the  blockade,  were  ordered  to  rendezvous  at 
Veia  Cruz,  to  assist  the  army  in  its  reduction. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

BUENA    VISTA. 

General  Scott  ordered  to  Mexico — Expedition  to  Vera  Cruz — With 
drawal  of  Troops  from  the  Army  under  General  Taylor — Surprise  of 
Arkansas  and  Kentucky  Cavalry  at  Encarnacion — Advance  of  Santa 
Anna  from  San  Luis  Potosi — The  Pass  of  Angostura — Buena  Vista 
— Position  of  the  American  Troops — Approach  of  the  Enemy — The 
Battle — Bravery  of  the  Volunteers — Skirmish  near  Saltillo — Disas 
trous  retreat  of  the  Mexican  Army — Attack  on  the  Wagon  Trains — 
Pursuit  of  Urrea. 

ON  the  1st  day  of  January,  1847,  and  within  the 
short  space  of  eight  months  from  the  commencement 
of  hostilities,  the  provinces  of  New  Mexico,  California, 
Chihuahua,  Durango,  Coahuila,  New  Leon,  and  Tamau- 
lipas,  embracing  more  than  one  half  of  the  geograph 
ical  area  of  the  Mexican  Republic,  were  either  vir 
tually  conquered,  or  in  the  actual  possession  of  the 
American  forces.  The  different  military  operations 
thus  far  conducted,  had  been  executed  with  unexampled 
skill  and  ability,  and  attended  with  the  most  satisfactory 
results.  The  territory  occupied  by  the  army  undei 
General  Taylor,  could  not,  indeed,  have  been  regarded 
of  much  value  as  a  permanent  acquisition,  if  conquest 
had  been  the  object  of  the  war  ;  but  in  a  military 
point  of  view,  the  campaign  on  the  Rio  Grande  was 
as  important  as  it  was  successful.  Every  thing  had 
been  achieved  which  was  to  be  desired.  On  three 
separate  occasions  the  armies  of  Mexico  had  been  de- 


NORTHERN    PROVINCES    OF    MEXICO.  207 

feated.  No  superiority  of  numbers,  or  advantages  of 
position,  could  stay  the  advance  of  the  American  sol 
diers.  The  power,  the  military  strength  and  resources 
of  the  enemy,  were  essentially  weakened  ;  and  it  mat 
tered  little  upon  what  theatre  this  had  been  effected, 
whether  upon  a  barren  shore  or  a  sandy  desert,  so  long 
as  her  capacity  for  resistance  was  diminished.  A  large 
army,  it  is  true,  was  soon  collected  at  San  Luis  Potosi, 
but  the  disheartening  influences  of  defeat  were  felt 
even  there.  Rumor  asserted  that  the  victorious  Amer 
icans  were  moving  towards  the  interior ;  parties  of 
observation  were  thrown  forward,  and  preparations  for 
defence  were  made  ;  yet  many  doubted  their  ability  to 
maintain  the  position.* 

A  descent  upon  the  Gulf  coast  of  Mexico  had  long 
been  in  contemplation  at  the  War  Department  of  the 
United  States ;  but  the  prevalence  of  the  vomito  dur 
ing  the  summer  months  forbade  any  such  enterprise. 
Had  the  climate  and  season  been  more  favorable,  it  is 
not  likely  that  this  would  have  been  undertaken  at  the 
commencement  of  the  war,  notwithstanding  the  im 
portance  of  the  movement  in  order  to  the  conquest  of 
a  speedy  and  honorable  peace  ;  because  hopes  were 
entertained,  that  the  northern  and  frontier  departments 
of  Mexico  would  declare  themselves  independent  of  the 
central  government,  and  establish  pacific  relations  with 
the  American  Union.  General  Taylor  was  led  to  be 
lieve  that  such  would  be  the  case,  from  the  information 


*  "  You  may  imagine  how  we  are  situated  here  with  respect  to  the 
approach  of  the  invaders.  *  *  *  *  Who  can  tell  what  will  be  our 
fate  1 — yet  we  have  25,000  men  more  or  less,  52  pieces  of  artillery,  24- 
pounders,  and  below,  in  excellent  condition,  an  incredible  quantity  of 
powder,  and  ball  of  every  calibre." — Letter  of  correspondent  of  El  Lo- 
comotor,  (Vera  Cruz,)  dated  at  San  Luis,  14th  November,  1846. 


208     SCOTT  ORDERED  TO  THE  SEAT  OF  WAR. 

derived  through  his  agents.*'  It  was  certainly  no 
chimerical  supposition.  The  northern  provinces  were 
known  to  be  ardently  attached  to  the  federal  constitu 
tion  ;  and  when  Paredes  came  into  power,  there  were 
strong  symptoms  manifested  of  a  desire  to  resist  his 
authority.  They  would  naturally  have  turned  to  the 
American  army  for  support,  and  it  is  reasonable  to  sup 
pose,  that  the  fear  of  losing  a  large  portion  of  territory 
south  and  west  of  the  Rio  Grande,  might  have  con 
strained  the  Mexican  Government  to  listen  to  over 
tures  of  peace.  But  before  the  war  had  fairly  com 
menced,  the  project  for  the  re-establishment  of  the 
federal  constitution,  and  the  return  of  Santa  Anna, 
was  started  by  the  opponents  of  Paredes,  and  his  sub 
sequent  overthrow  put  an  end  to  the  expectations 
which  had  been  formed  in  regard  to  the  secession  of 
the  northern  provinces. 

The  suggestions  of  General  Taylor  *n  favor  of  main 
taining  a  defensive  position  on  the  line  of  the  Sierra 
Madre,  and  the  information  communicated  by  him, 
showing  that  a  march  on  San  Luis  Potosi  from  Sal- 
tillo  would  be  attended  with  serious  difficulty  and  em 
barrassment,  and  that  the  Santa  Barbara  pass,  open 
ing  towards  Tampico,  and  that  in  the  direction  of 
Tula,  were  both  impracticable  for  artillery,  led  to  an 
abandonment  of  the  movement  designed  to  be  made 
upon  San  Luis  Potosi,  from  the  north ;  and  in  Novem 
ber  1846,  General  Scott  was  ordered  to  repair  to  the 
Rio  Grande,  for  the  purpose  of  setting  on  foot  and 
conducting  an  expedition  against  Vera  Cruz  and  the 
castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua.  Previous  to  this  time 
much  valuable  information  had  been  procured  in  re- 

*  Letter  of  General  Taylor  to  the  Adjutant  General,  September  6, 
1845. 


EXPEDITION    AGAINST    VERA    CRUZ.  200 

lation  to  the  defences  of  the  city  and  castle,  and  Gen 
eral  Scott  had  been  actively  and  constantly  employed 
for  several  weeks  in  making  the  necessary  preparations. 
Heavy  ordnance,  large  quantities  of  missiles  and  ammu 
nition,  transport  vessels,  bomb-ketches,  and  surf-boats 
to  land  the  troops,  were  ordered  to  be  prepared,  and 
dispatched  to  the  Gulf  without  delay.  A  corps  of  sap 
pers  and  miners,  and  mountain  howitzer  and  rocket 
batteries,  were  also  organized  to  take  part  in  the  ex 
pedition,  and  accompany  the  army  on  its  march  to  the 
Mexican  capital. 

It  was  originally  intended  that  the  attack  on  Vera 
Cruz  should  be  made  in  co-operation  with  the  navy, 
by  a  detachment  from  General  Taylor's  army  of  four 
or  five  thousand  men,  under  the  command  of  General 
Patterson.*  After  the  dispatch  of  the  2nd  of  Sep 
tember,  intimating  an  intention  to  make  a  descent  on 
the  Gulf  coast,  at  Tampico,  was  intercepted  by  the 
enemy,  it  became  evident  that  a  much  larger  force 
would  be  necessary.  Tampico  was  occupied,  how 
ever,  as  has  been  stated,  in  order  to  mask  the  more 
important  enterprise  in  contemplation. 

General  Scott  had  made  an  unsuccessful  application 
to  the  President  of  the  United  States,  to  be  ordered  to 
the  soat  of  war,  in  the  month  of  September ;  but,  in 
consequence  of  the  prior  misunderstanding,  his  request 
was  denied. f  At  a  later  day  this  determination  was 

*  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  (pp.  84,  88),  2nd  Session,  29th 
Congress. 

•f  Allusion  has  been  heretofore  made  to  this  controversy  (ante,  p.  9-1). 
It  appears  to  have  been  mainly  of  a  personal  character,  and  one  reflect 
ing  little  credit  or  honor  on  those  concerned,  though  proving,  very  con 
clusively,  that  our  military  and  civil  officers,  no  matter  how  high  their 
station,  are  not  exempt  from  the  passions  and  prejudices  which  some 
times  afflict  those  who  move  in  a  humbler  sphere.  For  the  particulars 


210  PROPRIETY  OF  THE  ORDER. 

wisely  reconsidered,  and  in  accordance  with  the  gen 
eral  expectation  of  the  country,  he  was  directed  to 
take  the  field.  To  him,  more  than  to  any  other  man, 
was  the  army  indebted  for  its  high  slate  of  discipline, 
its  usefulness  and  efficiency ;  and  it  was  due  to  his  past 
services,  and  his  talents,  that  he  should  be  allowed  to 
participate  in  the  active  operations  of  the  war.  If  the 
laurels  won  at  Chippewa  and  Niagara  could  be  re 
freshed  and  reinvigorated  by  the  cool  breezes  that 
swept  over  the  terra  templada  of  Mexico, — if  there 
were  new  victories  to  be  gained  that  could  give  ad 
ditional  lustre  to  the  undying  fame  which  formed  one 
of  the  richest  jewels  of  the  nation, — it  was  but  just 
that  the  opportunity  should  be  given.  Large  rein 
forcements  were  about  to  be  sent  to  Mexico,  and  the 
occasion  seemed  most  favorable  for  directing  the  gen- 
eral-in-chief  of  the  army  to  assume  the  command, 
since  it  could  be  done  at  such  a  time  without  prejudice 
to  the  officer  who  had  hitherto  so  skilfully  directed  its 
movements.*  There  was  a  peculiar  fitness,  too,  in  as 
signing  General  Scott  to  conduct  the  expedition  against 
Vera  Cruz,  because  the  merit  of  planning  the  move- 

of  the  difference,  see  Appendix  to  the  Congressional  Globe,  1845-6,  pp. 
G50,  et  seq.;  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  2nd  session,  29th  Con 
gress;  Senate  Document,  No.  1,  1st  session,  30th  Congress;  and  the 
correspondence  between  General  Scott  and  the  War  Department  com 
municated  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  March  20th  and  April  2Gth, 
1848. 

*  General  Taylor  expected  that  General  Scott  would  be  ordered  to 
Mexico,  and  did  not  appear  in  the  least  disappointed  when  informed 
that  this  had  been  done.  Indeed,  it  does  not  seem  strange  that  this 
should  be  the  case.  At  the  commencement  of  the  war  there  were  a 
number  of  officers  in  the  army  superior  in  rank  to  General  Taylor ;  but 
within  a  very  few  wetks  after  that  time  he  stood  second  only  to  Gen 
eral  Scott. 


INCREASE    OF    THE    ARMY.  211 

ment  was  his  own,  and  his  experience,  sagacity,  and 
skill,  were  requisite  to  insure  its  success.* 

The  order  directing  General  Scott  to  repair  to  Mex 
ico,  and  clothing  him  with  discretionary  power  in  re 
gard  to  the  future  conduct  of  hostilities,  was  issued  on 
the  23rd  of  November,  and  on  the  24th  he  left  Wash 
ington  for  New  York,  where  he  embarked  for  New 
Orleans. f  Before  leaving  the  capital,  the  necessary 
preliminary  arrangements  had  been  made  for  the  ex 
pedition.  Nine  additional  volunteer  regiments,  includ 
ing  one  of  Texan  horse,  were  called  for ;  and  at  the 
ensuing  session  of  Congress,  bills  were  introduced,  and 
passed,  authorizing  ten  new  regiments  of  regular  troops 
to  be  raised,  and  the  increase  of  the  artillery  regiments 
and  marine  corps, — and  providing  for  the  appointment 
of  two  major  generals,  and  three  brigadier  generals, 
and  the  encouragement  of  enlistment,  by  large  boun 
ties.  The  general  officers,  the  ten  regiments,  and  the 
addition  to  the  marine  corps,  were  to  be  continued  in 
service  only  during  the  existence  of  the  war.J 

*  Projects  of  General  Scott  laid  before  the  Secretary  of  War,  Octo 
ber  27th,  1840,  and  November  12th,  IGth,  and  21st,  of  the  same  year. 

f  "  The  President,  several  days  since,  communicated  in  person  to  you 
his  orders  to  repair  to  Mexico,  to  take  the  command  of  the  forces  there 
assembled,  and  particularly  to  organize  and  set  on  foot  an  expedition  to 
operate  on  the  Gulf  coast,  if,  on  arriving  at  the  theatre  of  action,  you 
shall  deem  it  to  be  practicable.  It  is  not  proposed  to  control  your  oper 
ations  by  definite  and  positive  instructions,  but  you  are  left  to  prosecute 
them  as  your  judgment,  under  a  full  view  of  all  the  circumstances,  shall 
dictate."— Extract  from  the  letter  of  the  Secretary  of  War  to  General 
Scott,  dated  November  2 1st,  184G. 

t  The  ten  regiment  bill  did  not  become  a  law  until  the  llth  of  Feb 
ruary,  1847,  partly  in  consequence  of  the  attempt  made  to  create  the 
office  of  lieutenant  general  heretofore  alluded  to.  (Ante,  p.  95,  note.) 
By  the  terms  of  the  act,  the  President  was  authorized  to  equip  one  of 
the  infantry  regiments  as  voltigeurs,  which  was  done.  Under  tha 
law  authorizing  the  selection  of  additional  general  officers,  Gid«on 


212         LETTER  TO  GENERAL  TAYLOR. 

While  in  New  York,  General  Scott  addressed  a  let- 
ter  to  General  Taylor,  informing  him  that  he  was  about 
to  embark  for  the  seat  of  war ;  that  he  designed  to 
undertake  an  expedition  in  a  different  quarter  of  the 
enemy's  country  ;  and  that  he  should  be  compelled, 
though  reluctantly,  to  take  from  him  the  greater  part 
of  the  troops  under  his  command.*  He  reached  New 
Orleans  near  the  close  of  December,  and  early  in  Jan 
uary  following  he  was  upon  the  Rio  Grande.  Instruc 
tions  with  reference  to  his  plans,  and  the  number,  and 
character  of  the  men  whom  he  wished  to  be  pre 
pared  for  the  expedition,  were  sent  to  General  Taylor, 
by  different  messengers.  Lieutenant  Ritchie,  one  of 

J.  Pillow  and  John  A.  Quitman,  brigadier  generals  of  volunteers,  were 
appointed  major  generals;  and  Franklin  Pierce  of  New  Hampshire, 
George  Cadwalader  of  Pennsylvania,  and  Enos  D.  Hopping  of  New 
York,  were  appointed  brigadier  generals.  Thomas  H.  Benton  of  Mis 
souri,  and  William  Gumming  of  Georgia,  were  originally  appointed 
the  major  generals,  but  did  not  accept.  The  vacancies  occasioned  in 
the  volunteer  service,  by  the  promotion  of  Generals  Pillow  and  Quitman, 
were  filled  by  the  appointment  of  Caleb  Gushing  of  Massachusetts,  and 
Sterling  Price  of  Missouri. 

*  "  I  am  not  coming,  my  dear  general,  to  supersede  you  in  the  imme 
diate  command  on  the  line  of  operations  rendered  illustrious  by  you  and 
your  gallant  army.  My  proposed  theatre  is  different.  You  may  imag 
ine  it ;  and  I  wish  very  much  that  it  were  prudent,  at  this  distance,  to 
tell  you  all  that  I  expect  to  attempt  and  hope  to  execute.  *  *  *  But, 
my  dear  general,  I  shall  be  obliged  to  take  from  you  most  of  the  gallant 
officers  and  men,  (regulars  and  volunteers,)  whom  you  have  so  long 
and  so  nobly  commanded.  I  am  afraid  that  I  shall,  by  imperious  ne 
cessity — the  approach  of  yellow  fever  on  the  Gulf  coast — reduce  you, 
for  a  time,  to  stand  on  the  defensive.  This  will  be  infinitely  painful  to 
you.  and  for  that  reason,  distressing  to  me.  But  I  rely  upon  your  pa 
triotism  to  submit  to  the  temporary  sacrifice  with  cheerfulness.  No  man 
can  better  afford  to  do  so.  Recent  victories  place  you  on  the  high  emi 
nence  ;  and  I  even  flatter  myself  that  any  benefit  that  may  result  to  me, 
personally,  from  the  unequal  division  of  troops  alluded  to,  will  lessen 
the  pain  of  your  consequent  inactivity." — Letter  of  General  Scott  t« 
General  Taylor,  November  25th,  1846. 


TROOPS    IN    THE    FIELD.  213 

the  bearers  of  dispatches,  was  on  his  way  to  seek  the 
latter,  when  he  was  attacked,  between  Linares  and 
Victoria,  by  a  party  of  rancheros,  and  cruelly  murdered. 
The  papers  in  his  possession  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  fact  that  an  expedition  against  Vera 
Cruz  was  projected  could  no  longer  be  concealed. 

When  the  arrangements  for  the  expedition  against 
Vera  Cruz  were  made  at  Washington,  preparatory 
to  the  departure  of  General  Scott,  it  was  not  supposed 
that  General  Taylor  would  deem  it  advisable  to  ad 
vance  beyond  Monterey,  or  occupy  the  lower  part  of 
the  State  of  Tamaulipas.*  It  was  intended  that  he 
should  remain  upon  the  defensive  until  additional  troops 
could  be  sent  out  from  the  United  States.  The  im 
portance  of  the  position  at  Saltillo  was  not  correctly 
understood  at  the  War  Department,  and  hence  it  was 
not  taken  into  account  in  the  calculations  which  had 
been  made.  General  Taylor  might  have  occupied  and 
held  the  city  of  Monterey  with  a  much  smaller  force 
than  was  left  under  his  control ;  but  he  wisely  decided 
to  keep  possession  of  Saltillo,  as  being  a  still  more 
commanding  position,  and  completely  covering  the 
single  road  practicable  for  artillery,  which  was  the  only 
formidable  arm  of  the  Mexican  service,  to  the  valley 
of  the  Rio  Grande.  Monterey  was  well  situated 
for  defence ;  but  if  the  enemy  could  advance  to  that 
point,  the  communication  with  his  principal  depots 
would  be  more  likely  to  be  cut  off,  and  their  protection 
attended  with  more  danger  and  difficulty. 

The  whole  number  of  troops  upon  the  Rio  Grande, 
and  en  route  for  the  Gulf,  including  the  new  volunteer 
regiments,  was  not  far  from  20,000.  General  Scott 

*  House  of  Rep.  Exec.  Doc.  119,  (pp.  84,  89,  108)  2nd  Session,  29th 
Congress. 


214  DIVISION    OF    THE    i-uRCES. 

required  12,000  of  these  for  the  expedition  against 
Vera  Cruz.  Besides  the  volunteers  embarked  from  the 
United  States  for  the  island  of  Lobos,  the  appointed 
place  of  rendezvous,  nearly  all  the  regular  troops  under 
Generals  Twiggs  and  Worth,  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  volunteer  division  of  General  Patterson,  were  or 
dered  to  the  same  point.  It  was  with  great  reluc 
tance  that  General  Taylor  parted  with  the  veteran 
troops  whom  he  had  so  long  commanded  ;*  but  the  en 
terprise  which  General  Scott  was  about  to  attempt, 
was  of  primary  importance.  It  was  necessary  that 
Vera  Cruz  and  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua  should 
be  reduced,  if  at  all,  before  the  return  of  the  sickly 
season ;  and  if  that  could  only  be  done  by  an  assault, 
the  regular  regiments  would  be  especially  needed. 
Moreover,  it  was  to  be  apprehended  that  Santa  Anna 
might  move  his  army  from  San  Luis  Potosi,  in  the 
direction  of  Vera  Cruz,  after  receiving  the  informa 
tion  contained  in  the  dispatches  borne  by  Lieutenant 
Ritchie.  Had  he  done  this,  the  column  under  General 
Scott  would  probably  have  been  decimated  ere  they 
could  have  effected  a  landing  on  the  Mexican  shore. 
Undoubtedly  it  would  have  been  a  wiser  policy  to  have 
called  out  a  larger  number  of  volunteers  in  the  sum 
mer  or  fall  of  1846  ;  but  the  error  was  one  very  likely 
to  be  committed  in  a  country  like  ours.  It  was  too 
late  to  correct  it  when  General  Scott  arrived  upon  the 
Rio  Grande ;  he  had  no  dragon's  teeth,  from  which 
armed  soldiers  might  be  raised  at  his  bidding;  and  a 

*  Letters  of  General  Taylor  to  the  Adjutant  General,  January  1 5th 
and  27th,  1847.  General  Taylor  did  not  anticipate  that  he  would  be 
required  to  part  with  more  than  four  or  five  thousand  of  the  troops  un 
der  his  command  (Doc.  1 19,  p.  94)  ;  but  very  magnanimously  made  the 
sacrifice  when  the  exigencies  of  the  service  required  it. 


SURPRISE    AT    ENCARNACION.  215 

delay,  even  of  a  few  weeks,  could  not  be  permitted. 
About  six  hundred  regulars,  including  two  squadrons 
of  dragoons,  and  four  of  the  finest  artillery  companies 
in  the  army,  with  the  best  disciplined  regiments  of 
volunteers,  which  had  been  drilled  by  General  Wool, 
or  under  the  eye  of  General  Taylor  himself,  were  left 
upon  the  line  of  the  Sierra  Madre.*  In  view  of  the 
loss  of  life  which  afterwards  occurred,  it  may  be  re 
gretted  that  the  army  under  General  Taylor  was  neces 
sarily  so  much  reduced ;  but  he  knew  of  what  mate 
rials  it  was  composed,  and  did  not  rashly  expose 
himself  to  peril.  His  force  was  small,  but  it  proved 
sufficient;  and  had  it  not  been  for  the  defection  of  one 
of  his  regiments,  the  repulse  at  Buena  Vista  would 
have  been  the  complete  rout  of  the  Mexican  army. 

After  giving  the  necessary  instructions  to  the  troops 
ordered  to  join  General  Scott,  General  Taylor  returned 
to  Monterey.  During  his  absence  General  Wool  had 
remained  encamped  with  his  division  at  Agua  Nueva, 
until  General  Worth  left  Saltillo,  when  he  took  posi 
tion  on  the  heights  above  and  to  the  south  of  the  city, 
with  a  portion  of  his  command,  and  distributed  the  re 
mainder  through  the  valley.  General  Minon  was 
known  to  be  in  the  vicinity  with  his  lancers,  and 
scouting  parties  were  constantly  kept  out  to  obtain  in 
formation.  On  the  22nd  of  January  a  party  of  over 
seventy  men,  consisting  of  Arkansas  and  Kentucky 
cavalry,  commanded  by  Majors  Borland  and  Gaines, 
were  surprised  at  the  hacienda  of  Encarnacion,  forty- 
eight  miles  beyond  Saltillo,  by  General  Minon.  Re 
sistance  against  so  formidable  a  force  would  have  been 

*  Generals  Patterson,  Twigjs,  Worth,  Pillow,  Quitman  and  Shields, 
accompanied  General  Scott,  and  Generals  Butler,  Wool,  Marshall  and 
Lane  remained  with  General  Tuylor. 

11 


216  ADVANCE  TO  AGUA  NUEVA 

idle,  and  they  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war 
Captain  Henrie  of  the  Texan  Rangers  was  with  the 
detachment,  but  gallantly  made  his  escape  on  the 
second  day  after  their  capture.  On  the  27th  of  Jan 
uary,  a  picket  guard  of  seventeen  men  of  the  Ken 
tucky  volunteers,  under  Captain  Heady,  were  also 
captured  by  the  enemy.  The  advanced  pickets  were 
repeatedly  driven  in,  and  it  was  confidently  rumored, 
that  the  main  body  of  the  Mexican  forces  under  Santa 
Anna  were  marching  to  attack  the  American  army. 

Leaving  a  force  of  fifteen  hundred  men  to  garrison 
the  city  of  Monterey,  General  Taylor  proceeded  to 
Saltillo,  early  in  February.  While  General  Worth 
was  in  command  at  this  point,  a  strong  redoubt  com 
manding  the  town  and  the  plain  in  which  it  is  situated, 
had  been  constructed  by  General  Lane's  Indiana  bri 
gade,  under  the  direction  of  Lieutenant  Kingsbury  of 
the  ordnance  corps.  Captain  Webster  occupied  the 
redoubt  with  two  twenty-four  pounder  howitzers,  and 
several  pieces  of  smaller  calibre ;  and  Major  Warren, 
of  the  1st  Illinois  foot,  was  directed  to  guard  the  town 
with  four  companies  of  the  Illinois  volunteers,  two  of 
each  regiment.  OQ  the  8th  of  February  the  remain 
der  of  the  army,  about  5,000  strong,  moved  forward 
under  General  Taylor  to  Agua  Nueva,  where  he  could 
have  the  advantage  of  a  large  plain  to  drill  his  troops, 
and  hold  in  observation  the  road  from  San  Luis  Potosi, 
and  the  different  passes  leading  to  Parras,  Monclova, 
and  Saltillo. 

The  road  from  Saltillo  to  Agua  Nueva  pursues  a 
south-westerly  course,  through  an  irregular  and  broken 
valley,  varying  from  two  to  three  miles  in  width,  and 
bounded  on  either  side  by  the  tall  mountain  ridges  >f 


BUENA    VISTA.  217 

the  Sierra  Madre.  About  five  miles  south  of  Saltillo 
is  the  hacienda  of  BUENA  VISTA,*  and  a  short  distance 
beyond  this  the  flanking  mountains  incline  nearer  to 
each  other,  and  form  the  pass  of  Angostura.  The  at 
tention  of  General  Taylor  was  called  to  this  position 
by  General  Wool,  as  being  one  which  a  small  army 
could  easily  maintain  against  a  larger  force.  Notwith 
standing  its  advantages,  the  former  decided  to  proceed 
to  Agua  Nueva,  as  he  had  at  first  intended,  and  if  Santa 
Anna  approached  with  his  army,  to  fall  back  to  the 
ground  which  he  saw  at  a  glance  was  well  adapted  to 
the  limited  numbers  of  his  command.  By  this  means 
he  would  be  enabled  to  practise  a  ruse  upon  the  enemy, 
and  lead  them  to  attack  him  in  a  position  of  his  own 
selection,  and  which  he  felt  fully  competent  to  hold. 
This  determination  was  strengthened  on  his  arrival  at 
Agua  Nueva,  which  he  found  to  be  a  more  exposed 
position,  and  one  that  could  be  readily  turned  on  either 
flank.  Information  having  been  received  that  the 
Mexican  forces  were  concentrating  in  his  front,  Gen 
eral  Taylor  ordered  Major  McCulloch,  with  a  party 
of  Texan  spies,  to  reconnoitre  the  San  Luis  road. 
The  detachment  left  Agua  Nueva  on  the  16th  of  Feb 
ruary,  and  about  midnight  encountered  a  small  body 
of  the  enemy's  cavalry,  whom  they  drove  towards  En- 
carnacion,  and  then  returned  to  camp.  On  the  20th 
instant  a  strong  reconnaissance  was  dispatched  to  the 
hacienda  of  Heclionda,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  May, 
and  Major  McCulloch  made  another  examination  of 
Encarnacion.  The  reports  of  these  officers  ren 
dered  it  certain  that  Santa  Anna,  instead  of  marching 
with  the  forces  which  he  had  concentrated  at  San  Luis 
Potosi,  to  meet  General  Scott  at  Vera  Cruz,  had  con- 

*  BcautifU  view. 


218          THE  AMERICAN  ARMY  RETIRE. 

eluded  to  take  advantage  of  the  withdrawal  of  such  a 
arge  number  of  troops  from  the  line  commanded  by 
General  Taylor,  and  by  one  decisive  blow  endeavor 
to  wipe  out  the  ignominy  of  past  reverses,  and  retrieve 
the  waning  fortunes  of  the  Mexican  Republic. 

At  noon  on  the  21st,  General  Taylor  broke  up  his 
camp  at  Agua  Nueva,  and  retired  leisurely  towards 
the  position  in  front  of  the  hacienda  of  Buena  Vista, 
which  had  previously  been  selected.  Colonel  Yell  re 
mained  at  Agua  Nueva  with  his  regiment  of  Arkansas 
cavalry,  to  look  out  for  the  enemy,  and  cover  the  re 
moval  of  the  public  stores.  The  2nd  Kentucky  foot 
under  Colonel  McKee,  and  a  section  of  Captain  Wash 
ington's  battery,  halted  at  Encantada  to  support  Col 
onel  Yell.  The  1st  Illinois  foot  under  Colonel  Hardin 
were  stationed  at  the  pass  of  Angostura,  where  it  had 
been  determined  to  give  battle  to  the  enemy.  Gen 
eral  Taylor  proceeded  to  Saltillo,  accompanied  by 
Lieutenant  Colonel  May,  with  his  squadron  of  the  2nd 
dragoons,  two  batteries  of  the  3rd  artillery,  under  Cap 
tains  Sherman  and  Bragg,  and  the  Mississippi  rifle 
regiment,  under  Colonel  Davis.  On  the  evening  of  the 
21st,  the  regiment  of  Kentucky  cavalry  under  Colonel 
Marshall,  and  the  squadron  of  the  1st  dragoons,  Cap 
tain  Steen,  were  ordered  to  Agua  Nueva,  to  reinforce 
Colonel  Yell.  General  Wool  encamped  near  Buena 
Vista  with  the  remaining  section  of  Washington's 
battery,  the  2nd  Illinois  foot,  Colonel  Bissell,  and  the 
2nd  and  3rd  Indiana  regiments,  commanded  by  Col 
onels  Bowles  and  J.  H.  Lane.*  Before  the  removal 

*  In  addition  to  the  forces  above  enumerated,  General  Taylor  had 
under  his  command  one  company  of  Texan  volunteers,  and  a  spy  com 
pany  commanded  by  Major  McCulloch.  The  two  Indiana  regiments 
formed  a  brigade  under  the  command  of  General  Lane. 


COLONEL  MAY. 


DISAFFECTION    AT    SAN    LUIS.  219 

of  the  stores  could  be  effected,  Colonel  Yell's  pickets 
were   driven  in  by  the  enemy,  and,  in  obedience  to 
his  instructions,  he  retired  with  the  reinforcements  un 
der  Colonel  Marshall,  after  destroying  a  small  quan 
tity  of  grain  remaining   at  the   hacienda,  and   leav 
ing   a   few  wagons   which   had   been   abandoned   by 
the  teamsters.     At  Encantada  he  was  joined  by  the 
force  under  Colonel  McKee,  and   they  fell  back  to 
gether  to  Buena  Vista,  before  daylight  on  the  morning 
of  the  22nd. 

From  the  time  of  his  arrival  at  San  Luis  Potosi,  in 
October  1846,  Santa  Anna  labored  unceasingly  in 
strengthening  his  fortifications  at  that  point,  and  in 
equipping  and  instructing  the  men  under  his  command. 
Political  dissensions  and  differences,  however,  were 
not  entirely  healed.  His  approach  to  the  city  of  Mex 
ico,  and  his  journey  to  take  command  of  the  army  of 
the  north,  had  been  attended  with  all  the  pornp  and 
parade,  the  glitter  and  show,  the  shouting  and  rejoic 
ing,  of  a  triumphal  procession  ;  but  much  of  this  en 
thusiasm  was  transient  and  unreal.  The  elements  of 
discontent  still  existed.  The  Mexican  Congress,  which 
assembled  in  December,  elected  Santa  Anna  to  the 
presidency,  and  made  choice  of  Gomez  Farias  as  vice 
president,  upon  whom  the  executive  authority  devolved 
during  the  absence  of  the  former.  The  monarchists 
and  centralists  were  opposed  to  this  arrangement,  and 
did  not  repress  their  complaints.  Weeks  and  months 
rolled  by  ;  no  enemy  appeared  ;  and  the  army  remained 
inactive.  The  people  became  dissatisfied  ;  they  ex 
pected  every  thing  from  Santa  Anna,  and  could  not 
be  disappointed.  Murmurs  were  repeatedly  heard ; 
and  it  was  at  length  asserted  that  motives  of  personal 


220        THE  ARMY  UNDER  SANTA  ANNA. 

ambition  detained  him  at  San  Luis  Potosi.*  He  could 
hesitate  no  longer.  His  private  credit  was  pledged  for 
a  joiin  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  thousand  dollars,  and 
the  necessary  supplies  for  twelve  days  procured  for  his 
army.  On  the  28th  of  January  he  commenced  mov 
ing  forward  with  twenty  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  force 
of  about  20,000  men,  exclusive  of  the  cavalry  detach 
ments  under  Generals  Mifion  and  Urrea  already  thrown 
in  the  advance.f  The  march  was  long  and  tedious. 
The  army  was  scantily  supplied  with  food,  water  and 
clothing ;  the  weather  was  harsh  and  inclement ;  and 
sickness  and  desertion  fast  thinned  their  numbers. 
Encouraged  by  the  promise  of  their  leader,  that  they 
would  soon  be  supplied  from  the  well-filled  storehouses 
of  the  American  army  at  Saltillo  and  Monterey,  they 

*  It  is  questionable  whether  the  withdrawal  of  so  large  a  number  of 
troops  from  the  line  of  the  Sierra  Mad  re,  formed  the  controlling  reason 
for  the  advance  of  Santa  Anna  against  General  Taylor.  Political  con 
siderations  probably  had  far  more  influence.  The  army  could  have 
made  the  march  to  Vera  Cruz,  though  a  longer  distance,  with  far  less 
inconvenience ;  but  he  dared  not  lead  them  in  the  direction  of  the  capi 
tal.  It  was  said  that  the  presence  of  so  large  a  force  at  San  Luis,  un 
der  his  orders,  was  dangerous  to  the  liberties  of  the  country,  and  the 
march  towards  the  Gulf,  to  meet  General  Scott,  would  have  been  the 
signal  for  a  bloody  revolution. 

f  The  accounts  are  very  conflicting  in  relation  to  the  strength  of  th» 
Mexican  army.  In  his  official  report  of  the  battle  at  Buena  Vista. 
Santa  Anna  states  that  the  force  with  which  he  left  San  Luis  Potosi 
including  garrisons  and  detachments,  amounted  to  18,133,  and  that  hi» 
artillery  train  consisted  of  seventeen  pieces.  Another  statement  make* 
the  army  amount  to  over  21,000,  with  twenty-two  pieces.  The  generaJ 
orders  issued  on  the  28th  of  January,  at  San  Luis,  (Senate  Exec.  Doc. 
No.  1,  1st  session,  20th  Congress,  p.  154,)  and  found  on  the  battle 
ground  at  Bucna  Vista,  show  that  there  were  twenty  pieces  of  artillery. 
In  his  summons  to  General  Taylor,  the  Mexican  commander  said  the 
forces  under  his  orders  numbered  20,000,  including,  doubtless,  the  de 
tachment  under  General  Minon,  and  perhaps  that  under  Urrea;  but 
he  was  more  likely  to  exaggerate  his  strength  than  the  contrary.  Gen- 


ADVANCE  FROM  ENCENADA  221 

continued  to  advance  in  spite  of  the  obstacles  which 
were  calculated  to  discourage  them. 

The  various  detachments  of  the  Mexican  army  were 
concentrated  at  San  Fernando,  and  on  the  night  of 
the  20th  of  February  they  encamped  at  Encenada. 
On  the  morning  of  the  21st  mass  was  said  in  front  of 
the  different  divisions,  and  at  noon  the  whole  column 
were  again  on  the  march  ;  the  brigade  of  light  infantry 
under  General  Ampudia^  accompanied  by  a  body  of 
lancers,  leading  the  van  ;  the  divisions  of  infantry, 
under  General  Lombardini,  in  the  centre ;  and  the 
division  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  under  General  Ortega, 
bringing  up  the  rear.  General  Minon  was  ordered 
with  his  cavalry  brigade  to  make  a  diversion  in  the  rear 
of  the  American  army,  and  occupy  the  hacienda  of 
Buena  Vista.  The  detachment  under  General  Unea 
at  Tula  had  received  instructions  to  advance  from 
their  position,  and  attack  the  American  posts,  and  cut 
off  their  communications  between  Monterey  and  the 
Rio  Grande. 

It  had  been  the  intention  of  Santa  Anna,  on  learn 
ing  the  position  of  General  Taylor,  to  place  his  forces 
between  the  American  army  and  Saltillo,  and  compel 
them  to  fight  him  at  this  disadvantage.     The  retrograde 
movement  to  Buena  Vista  defeated  his  project.     His 

cral  Minon's  cavalry  brigade  was  1,200  strong ;  General  Urrea  had  an  in 
definite  number  of  men,  varying  from  two  to  three  thousand  ;  General 
Vasquez  remained  at  Matehuala  with  a  brigade  of  infantry  as  a  corps 
de  reserve;  and  the  main  body  under  Santa  Anna  probably  did  not 
much  exceed  17,000  men.  The  following  general  officers  accompanied 
the  army ;  Alvarez,  general-in-chief  of  cavalry ;  Lombardini,  Com 
mander-in-chief  of  the  infantry  ;  Requena,  gcneral-in-chief  of  artillery  j 
Mora  y  Villamil,  chief  of  the  engineers ;  Micheltorena,  chief  of  the 
general  staff;  and  Generals  R.  Vasquez,  Torrejon,  Ampudia,  Andrade, 
Juvera,  Quintamar,  Minon,  (detached,)  Jaurequi,  Conde,  Pacheco,  Gar 
cia,  Ortega,  Mejia,  Flores,  Guzman,  Mora,  and  Romero. 


222  THE    FIELD    OF    BUENA    VISTA. 

troops  were  elated,  however,  with  the  idea  that  the 
Americans  were  retreating  before  them,  and  he  deter 
mined  to  advance  by  the  direct  road  to  Saltillo.  There 
were  other  passes  through  the  mountains,  by  way  of 
Heclionda  on  his  right,  and  La  Punta  de  Santa  Elena 
on  his  left,  by  which  he  could  have  gained  the  Saltillo 
road  in  rear  of  Buena  Vista  ;  but  either  of  these  routes 
would  have  required  three  or  four  days'  march,  and  the 
state  of  his  supplies  forbade  any  further  delay.  He 
passed  the  night  of  the  21st  with  his  main  body,  in  the 
vicinity  of  Agua  Nueva,  and  at  early  dawn  on  the 
following  morning  took  up  his  line  of  march  towards 
the  pass  of  Angostura. 

The  position  selected  by  General  Taylor  for  the  re 
ception  of  the  enemy  is  nearly  one  mile  in  advance  of 
the  hacienda  of  Buena  Vista.  At  this  point  the  bases 
of  the  mountainous  ridges  are  about  two  miles  apart. 
The  main  road  to  Agua  Nueva  passes  through  a  nar 
row  defile  inclining  to  the  west  before  it  enters  the 
gorge,  and  then  turning  to  the  east.  Upon  its  right 
is  a  valley,  or  alluvial  bottom,  formed  from  the  debris 
of  the  neighboring  hills,  with  a  small  branch  of  the 
San  Juan  winding  through  it,  and  everywhere  cut  up 
by  deep  gullies,  and  yawning  pits  and  chasms,  washed 
out  by  the  torrents  plunging  from  the  mountain  sides 
during  the  rainy  seasons,  which  render  it  impracticable 
for  cavalry  or  artillery ;  and  further  beyond,  there  is 
an  intermediate  range  of  hills,  with  a  narrow  pass  in 
tervening  between  them  and  the  mountains.  Upon 
the  left  the  ground  descends  gradually  from  the  heights 
towards  the  road,  forming  an  elevated  plain  of  table 
.and,  free  from  timber,  with  the  exception  of  a  few 
shrubs  and  bushes,  but  intersected  by  a  succession  of 


APPROACH    OF    THE    MEXICANS.  223 

ravines  also  worn  by  the  mountain  torrents.  The 
ravines  are  of  irregular  formation,  some  extending  to 
the  very  foot  of  ihe  mountains,  and  others  terminating 
midway  in  the  plain.  On  the  extreme  left  their  banks 
are  sloping,  and  can  be  passed  without  difficulty,  but 
nearer  the  road  they  are  more  precipitous,  and  form  a 
series  of  steep  and  rocky  bluffs.  In  the  rear  of  the 
principal  plain,  upon  which  the  line  of  battle  was 
formed,  are  similar  plateaus,  separated  in  like  manner 
by  ravines. 

On  the  night  of  the  21st,  the  1st  Illinois  regiment 
threw  up  a  parapet  on  a  hill  east  of  the  gorge,  and 
dug  a  small  ditch,  and  made  a  parapet  extending  from 
the  road  around  the  brink  of  a  deep  gully  on  the 
right.  In  the  morning  a  ditch  and  parapet  were 
thrown  across  the  road  for  the  protection  of  a  bat 
tery  of  artillery,  leaving  a  narrow  passage  next  the 
bluff,  which  was  closed  by  running  in  two  wagons 
loaded  with  stone.  At  nine  o'clock  the  enemy  were 
discovered  advancing  over  the  distant  hills, 

"  Winding  from  cliff  to  cliff,  in  loose  array." 

As  they  approached  the  American  lines,  their  columns 
closed  up  together.  Dense  squadrons  of  horse,  with 
glittering  lances  and  gay  pennons,  formed  the  advance, 
and  then  came  the  long  serried  files  of  infantry,  with 
artillery  and  cavalry  intermingled  ;  column  upon  col 
umn  deploying  in  the  valley,  as  if  there  were  no  end 
to  the  stream  of  warriors  which  threatened  to  over 
whelm  the  feeble  band  before  them.  But  though  weak 
in  numbers,  the  American  soldiers  were  strong  in  their 
position,  strong  in  the  memory  of  past  victories,  strong 
in  the  prestige  of  their  leader's  name,  and  stronger 


224  SUMMONS    TO    SURRENDER. 

yet  in  the  recollection  that  they  were  the  countrymen 
— and  this  was  the  birthday — of  Washington  ! 

In  the  absence  of  General  Taylor,  the  line  of  battle 
was  formed  by  General  Wool.  Captain  Washington 
was  posted  in  the  road  with  his  battery,  with  two 
companies  of  the  1st  Illinois  behind  the  breastwork 
on  his  right,  and  the  2nd  Kentucky  infantry,  Colonel 
McKee,  occupying  a  spur  of  the  elevated  ground  in 
the  rear.  Colonel  Hardin  remained  in  position  on  the 
height,  with  six  companies  of  his  regiment,  having  the 
2nd  Illinois,  Colonel  Bissell,  and  the  company  of  Texan 
volunteers,  Captain  Connor,  on  his  left.  The  Indiana 
brigade  under  General  Lane,  took  position  on  a  ridge 
in  rear  of  the  front  line,  and  Captain  Steen's  squadron 
of  1st  dragoons  was  held  in  reserve.  The  Kentucky 
and  Arkansas  regiments  of  cavalry,  under  Colonels 
Marshall  and  Yell,  were  stationed  on  the  left  of  the 
second  line.  Soon  afterwards  the  rifle  companies  of 
the  volunteer  cavalry  were  dismounted,  and,  with  a 
battalion  of  riflemen  from  the  Indiana  brigade,  under 
Major  Gorman,  sustained  by  the  remaining  companies 
of  the  Kentucky  regiment,  the  whole  commanded  by 
Colonel  Marshall,  were  ordered  to  take  ground  to  the 
front  and  extreme  left.  When  the  commanding  gen 
eral  arrived  from  Saltillo  with  the  remainder  of  the 
/roops,  the  squadron  of  2nd  dragoons,  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  May,  the  light  batteries  of  Captains  Sherman  and 
Bragg,  and  the  Mississippi  regiment,  Colonel  Davis, 
were  held  in  reserve  with  the  squadron  under  Captain 
Steen.  At  eleven  o'clock  General  Taylor  received  a 
note  from  Santa  Anna,  informing  him  that  he  was 
surrounded  by  twenty  thousand  men,  and  requiring  him 
to  surrender  if  he  wished  to  avoid  being  cut  to  pieces. 


SKIRMISHING    IN    THE    MOUNTAINS.  225 

The  reply  was  what  might  have  been  expected — a 
prompt  and  decided  refusal.* 

At  two  o'clock  the  battalions  of  Mexican  light  in 
fantry,  under  General  Ampudia,  commenced  deploying 
to  the  right,  evidently  intending  to  outflank  the  Amer 
icans  and  secure  the  heights  overlooking  the  broad 
plateau  east  of  the  battery  in  the  road,  while  a  large 
howitzer  opened  its  iire  upon  the  left  of  the  line.  Gen 
eral  Lane  moved  forward  with  a  section  of  Washing 
ton's  battery  under  Lieutenant  O'Brien,  and  the  2nd 
Indiana  regiment,  on  the  left  of  the  2nd  Illinois,  to 
check  the  movement.  A  demonstration  was  also  ob- 

*  The  correspondence  between  Santa  Anna  and  General  Taylor  was 
remarkable  for  its  boastful  tone  on  the  one  hand,  and  its  emphatic 
brevity  on  the  other.  It  was  as  follows : — 

SUMMONS  OP  SANTA  ANNA. 

"  You  are  surrounded  by  twenty  thousand  men,  and  cannot  in  any 
human  probability  avoid  suffering  a  rout,  and  being  cut  to  pieces  with 
your  troops ;  but  as  you  deserve  consideration  and  particular  esteem,  I 
wish  to  save  you  from  a  catastrophe,  and  for  that  purpose  give  you  this 
notice  in  order  that  you  may  surrender  at  discretion,  under  the  assur 
ance  that  you  will  be  treated  with  the  consideration  belonging  to  the 
Mexican  character,  to  which  end  you  will  be  granted  an  hour's  time  to 
make  up  your  mind,  to  commence  from  the  moment  when  my  flag  of 
truce  arrives  in  your  camp. 

"  With  this  view,  I  assure  you  of  nv  particular  consideration. 

"  God  and  Liberty.     Camp  at  Encam  'da,  February  22,  1847. 

"  ANTO.  LOPEZ  DE  SANTA  ANNA. 
"  To  General  Z.  TAYLOR,  ) 

Commanding  the  forces  of  the  U.  5."  j 

REPLY  OP  GENERAL  TAYLOR. 

"  Head-quarters,  Army  of  Occupation,  ) 
Near  Buena  Vista,  Feb.  82,  1847.         \ 

"  SIR  : — In  reply  to  your  note  of  this  date,  summoning  me  to  surrender 
my  force  at  discretion,  I  beg  leave  to  say  that  I  decline  acceding  to  your 
request.  With  high  respect,  I  an.,  sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant,  Z.  TAYLOR, 

"Major  General,  U.  S.  A.  Comm'g. 
"Benor  Gen.  D.  Airro.  LOPEZ  DE  SANTA  ANNA,  > 
Commanding  in  chief,  Encantada,."          \ 


226  THE    DAY    OF    BATTLE. 

served  on  the  other  flank,  and  the  2nd  Kentucky  reg 
iment,  with  a  section  of  Bragg's  battery  and  a  detach 
ment  of  mounted  men,  were  ordered  to  take  post  on 
the  right  of  the  gullies,  and  some  distance  in  advance 
of  the  centre. 

Colonel  Marshall  had  anticipated  the  effort  to  out 
flank,  and  was  prepared  to  meet  the  enemy.  He  had 
secured  possession  of  one  of  the  spurs  running  out 
from  the  mountains,  and  was  preparing  to  occupy  a 
still  more  commanding  one  in  his  front,  when  he  was 
induced  to  fall  back  through  some  mistake  in  the 
delivery  of  an  order  from  General  Wool.  When  the 
enemy's  light  troops  approached,  a  spirited  conflict 
ensued,  which  was  kept  up  for  several  hours.  The 
American  loss  was  trifling,  but  the  fatal  fire  of  their 
rifles  filled  the  ravines  and  gorges  with  the  dead  and 
dying  of  their  opponents.  Numbers,  however,  pre 
vailed  against  courage  and  determination.  Before 
dark  the  Mexicans  had  occupied  the  sides,  and  scaled 
the  summits  of  the  Sierra  Madre,  and  had  thus  out 
flanked  the  American  position.  The  recall  was 
sounded,  and  Colonel  Marshall  returned  with  his  com- 
mand  to  the  plain. 

During  the  night  of  tl  e  22nd,  the  American  troops 
bivouacked  at  their  respective  positions  without  fires, 
and  lay  on  their  arms.  Long  before  daybreak  on  the 
following  morning,  they  \vere  aroused  from  their  slum 
bers  to  prepare  for  the  coming  contest.  The  day 
dawned  beautifully.  The  sky  was  clear  and  cloudless. 
The  sunlight  streamed  over  the  distant  mountain  tops, 
bathing  hill  and  rock,  ravir^  and  plain,  forest  and 
chaparral,  in  a  rich  flood  of  golden  radiance.  The 
cool  breeze  that  swept  through  the  valley  was  wel 
comed  by  many  a  feverish  brow  ;  and  it  rested  softly 


COMMENCEMENT    OF    THE    ACTION.  227 

on  many  a  manly  cheek,  glowing  with  hope  and  enthu 
siasm,  that  was  cold  in  death  ere  the  shadows  of  even 
ing  stole  along  the  western  hills.  There  were  throb 
bing  bosoms  and  anxious  hearts  in  that  little  army  ; 
but  few  among  them  all  were  faint  in  spirit,  or  dreaded 
the  encounter. 

Apprehending  that  an  attempt  might  be  made  on 
Saltillo  by  the  detachment  under  General  Mirion,  which 
had  been  visible  all  day  in  rear  of  the  town,  and  that 
the  force  stationed  there  would  be  unable  to  resist  it, 
General  Taylor  had  returned  in  the  evening  of  the  22nd, 
with  the  Mississippi  regiment,  and  the  squadron  of  the 
2nd  dragoons,  to  make  further  preparations  for  its  de 
fence.  Two  companies  of  the  Mississippi  rifles  under 
Captain  Rogers,  and  one  piece  from  Bragg's  battery 
under  Captain  Shover,  were  left  to  protect  the  trail* 
and  head-quarter  camp.  In  the  morning  of  the  23rd 
the  general  returned  to  the  field  with  the  remainder  of 
the  Mississippi  regiment  and  the  dragoons.  Before  he 
arrived  upon  the  ground  the  battle  had  commenced. 

The  action  was  opened  on  the  extreme  left  of  the 
American  line,  by  the  Mexican  light  troops,  and  the 
riflemen  who  had  again  moved  up  the  mountains. 
Major  Trail  was  soon  after  detached  with  three  com 
panies  of  the  2nd  Illinois  to  the  assistance  of  Colonel 
Marshall.  The  united  command  bravely  maintained 
their  ground  against  the  superior  force  under  General 
Arnpudia,  which  attempted  to  drive  them  from  their 
position.  About  eight  o'clock  Santa  Anna  put  in  mo 
tion  his  main  columns  of  attack ;  the  divisions  of  Lom- 
bardini  and  Pacheco,  with  a  portion  of  the  cavalry 
under  Juvera,  and  a  twelve-pounder  battery,  advan 
cing  on  the  left  of  the  American  line,  in  order  to  gain 
the  elevated  ground ;  and  a  strong  column  of  attack 


228  THE    AMERICAN    LEFT    TURNED. 

under  Mora  y  Viliamil,  with  three  pieces  of  artillery 
moving  along  the  road  towards  the  centre.  A  battery 
of  eight-pounders,  consisting  of  eight  pieces,  was 
planted  on  the  crest  of  a  hill  near  the  road  where  the 
different  columns  were  formed  for  the  attack,  and  Gen 
eral  Ortega  remained  in  command  of  a  strong  reserve. 

The  column  advancing  against  the  centre  was 
checked  in  a  few  moments  by  a  rapid  fire  from  Wash 
ington's  battery,  which  opened  wide  gaps  in  the  op 
posing  ranks.  The  enemy  broke  and  retired.  The 
lancers  \vere  interposed  to  prevent  the  retreat,  and 
drive  the  infantry  forward.  But  they  could  better 
meet  the  spear-points  of  their  countrymen,  than  the 
scathing  torrent  that  poured  down  that  roadway. 
Retreating  in  confusion  they  joined  the  column  mov 
ing  towards  the  American  left.  In  this  quarter  the 
attack  was  more  successful.  The  heavy  Mexican  bat 
tery  was  pushed  to  the  foot  of  the  heights  which  the 
light  troops  had  ascended,  and  their  cavalry  and  in 
fantry,  advancing  up  the  bed  of  a  ravine  in  front  of  the 
American  line,  soon  gained  a  position  on  the  plateau. 

The  battle  now  commenced  in  earnest.  The  2nd 
Indiana  sustained  themselves  for  a  short  time  without 
faltering,  and  Lieutenant  O'Brien  opened  a  vigorous 
fire  which  mowed  down  the  enemy  in  scores.  His 
guns  were  advanced.  Once  more  the  Mexican  line 
began  to  waver,  and  the  infantry  were  again  driven 
forward  by  the  lancers.  A  single  bold  and  vigorous 
onset  would  have  secured  the  victory.  General  Lane 
urged  his  men  to  stand  firm — to  push  upon  the  enemy. 
But  the  fire  was  too  terrible.  The  Indiana  regiment 
reeled  to  and  fro  like  a  drunken  man.  They  staggered 
back  and  retired  from  the  field  in  confusion,  at  the 
moment  when  General  Taylor  arrived  from  Saltillo. 


THE    INDIANA    REGIMENT. 

Captain  Lincoln,  assistant  adjutant-general  in  the  staff 
of  General  Wool,  lost  his  life  in  attempting  to  rally 
the  fugitives.  Major  Dix,  of  the  Pay  Department,  also 
dashed  forward,  and  snatching  the  colors  of  the  reg 
iment,  he  called  upon  the  men  to  stand  by  them  to 
the  last.  General  Lane,  though  severely  wounded, 
exhorted  and  entreated  them  to  follow  him  to  victory 
or  to  death.*  All  efforts  were  in  vain.  A  portion  of 
them  were  rallied  and  joined  the  Mississippi  regiment, 
doing  good  service  throughout  the  day  ;  of  the  remain 
der,  some  retired  to  the  hacienda  of  Buena  Vista,  and 
others  to  Saltillo. 

The  riflemen  and  cavalry  under  Colonel  Marshall, 
being  thus  cut  off  from  the  centre,  retreated  in  good 
order  in  the  direction  of  Buena  Vista.  Lieutenant 
O'Brien  maintained  the  ground  with  his  guns,  until  all 
his  cannoneers  were  killed  or  wounded  ;  but  being  de 
prived  of  his  support,  he  was  forced  to  retire,  leaving 
one  of  his  pieces,  the  horses  attached  to  which  were 

*  General  Lane  was  completely  carried  away  with  enthusiasm,  and 
closed  his  eloquent  and  impassioned  appeal  to  the  retreating  soldiers,  by 
reminding  them  what  a  glorious  thing  it  would  be  to  have  it  said  in 
history,  that  "  the  icJwle  Indiana  regiment  were  cut  to  pieces!"  Posthu 
mous  fame  seemed  of  little  value  at  such  a  time,  and  his  entreaties  were 
lost  upon  them.  He  was  too  brave  a  soldier  to  offer  an  apology  for  their 
retreat;  but  in  his  official  report  there  is  one  fact  stated,  which  should 
never  be  forgotten  when  their  conduct  is  called  in  question.  He  says  : 
"  The  2nd  regiment  of  my  command  which  o^/ened  the  ba*  tie  on  the 
plain,  in  such  gallant  style,  deserves  a  passing  remark.  I  shall  attempt 
to  make  no  apology  for  their  retreat ;  for  it  was  their  duty  to  stand  or 
die  to  the  last  man  until  they  received  orders  to  retire  ;  but  I  desire  to 
call  your  attention  to  one  fact  connected  with  this  affair.  They  re 
mained  in  their  position,  in  line,  receiving  the  fire  of  3.000  or  4,000  in 
fantry  in  front,  exposed  at  the  same  time  on  the  left  flank  to  a  most 
desperate  raking  fire  from  the  enemy's  battery,  posted  within  point- 
blank  shot,  until  they  had  deliberately  discharged  twenty  rounds  of  car 
tridges  at  the  enemy." 


230  THE    MISSISSIPPI    RIFLES* 

either  killed  or  disabled,  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 
The  2nd  Illinois  at  once  became  exposed  to  the  en 
filading  fire  of  the  heavy  battery.  Eight  regiments  of 
Mexican  infantry  came  down  upon  them,  and  they 
were  forced  temporarily  to  take  shelter  behind  the  ra 
vines.  Sections  of  Sherman's  battery,  under  Lieuten 
ants  Thomas  and  French,  advanced  to  their  assistance. 
The  2nd  Kentucky  regiment,  and  Captain  Bragg's 
battery,  had  already  'been  ordered  from  the  right, 
and,  in  connection  with  the  1st  and  2nd  Illinois,  and 
the  sections  of  Sherman's  battery,  they  drove  back  the 
enemy  in  handsome  style,  and  regained  possession  of  a 
portion  of  the  plateau.  The  Mexican  columns  were 
compelled  to  hug  the  mountain  more  closely,  and  their 
immense  hosts  began  to  pour  along  its  base  to  the  rear 
of  the  American  line.  Here  they  were  met  by  the 
Mississippi  rifles,  who  came  into  action  in  double-quick 
time.  As  a  column  of  the  enemy's  infantry,  flanked 
by  their  cavalry,  moved  down  the  slopes  towards  the 
road,  Colonel  Davis  hastened  to  meet  them.  His  men 
were  halted  only  when  within  range  of  their  rifles,  and 
were  then  ordered  to  "  fire  advancing."  The  front 
lines  of  the  enemy  fell  before  them.  They  too  suffered 
severely,  but  they  pressed  boldly  forward,  crossing  a 
deep  ravine  under  a  galling  fire,  until  a  body  of  cavalry 
attempted  to  gain  their  rear,  when  they  retired  slowly, 
and  afti  r  dispersing  the  lancers,  formed  again  behind 
the  ravine  which  they  had  first  crossed. 

The  enemy's  battery  had  been  constantly  playing 
upon  the  front  and  centre,  but  its  fire  was  now  turned 
upon  the  position  occupied  by  the  Mississippi  regiment. 
Lieutenant  Kilburn,  with  one  piece  from  Bragg's  bat 
tery,  was  ordered  to  this  point,  where  a  new  line  of 
battle,  forming  a  crotchet  perpendicular  to  the  first 


REPULSE    OF    THE  MEXICANS.  231 

line,  was  taken  up.  The  3rd  Indiana  regiment,  under 
Colonel  J.  H.  Lane,  accompanied  by  General  Lane, 
also  advanced  to  redeem  the  character  of  the  state  to 
which  they  belonged.  This  was  bravely  done.  Dar 
ing  and  repeated  efforts  were  made  by  the  enemy 
against  this  portion  of  the  line,  but  they  were  as  often 
repulsed.  At  length  a  large  body  of  cavalry  debouched 
from  their  cover  on  the  left  of  the  position.  The  Mis 
sissippi  regiment  immediately  filed  to  the  right  and 
fronted  across  the  plain,  while  the  3rd  Indiana  formed 
on  the  bank  of  a  ravine,  and  in  advance  of  the  right 
flank  of  the  Mississippians,  by  which  a  re-entering 
angle  was  presented  to  the  enemy.  The  Mexican  lan 
cers  came  dashing  onward,  in  close  and  beautiful  order. 
Captain  Sherman  now  arrived  with  two  pieces  from 
his  battery.  The  American  soldiers  were  firm  and 
steady  as  experienced  veterans,  and  when  the  enemy 
came  within  thirty  yards,  a  broad  sheet  of  flame  flashed 
from  the  entire  line.  Whole  masses  of  men  and  horses 
were  seen  to  fall  upon  the  plain.  The  enemy  we;e 
instantly  checked  and  thrown  into  confusion.  Tlie 
Americans  advanced,  still  pouring  forth  their  withering 
volleys.  Captain  Bragg  also  brought  his  battery  round 
to  this  position,  and  commenced  raining  deadly  show 
ers  of  grape  upon  the  Mexicans,  as  they  retreated  for 
shelter  to  the  gorges  and  ravines  near  the  mountains. 
Lieutenant  Rucker,  at  the  head  of  the  squadron  of  1st 
dragoons,  Captain  Steen  having  been  wounded  when 
the  left  flank  was  turned,  was  ordered  to  move  up  a 
ravine  and  charge  them.  Before  this  was  done,  the 
order  was  countermanded,  and  he  was  directed  to  join 
Lieutenant  Colonel  May,  who  was  advancing  with  his 
squadron  of  the  2nd  dragoons,  a  squadron  of  Arkansas 
horse  under  Captain  Pike,  and  Lieutenant  Reynolds 


232  THE  LANCERS  ROUTED. 

with  a  section  of  Sherman's  battery,  to  check  the  e* 
emy's  cavalry,  from  the  head  of  their  column  on  th^ 
left,  who  were  threatening  a  descent  on  the  hacienda 
of  Buena  Vista,  near  which  the  train  of  supplies  and 
baggage  had  been  parked. 

Before  Lieutenant  Colonel  May  had  reached  the 
ground,  Colonels  Marshall  and  Yell  had  encountered 
the  enemy  with  the  Kentucky  and  Arkansas  cavalry. 
The  order  to  charge  was  given  on  both  sides  at  the 
same  instant.  Like  knights  at  the  tourney  they  sprang 
forward  to  do  their  devoir.  The  squadrons  met  in  the 
centre  of  the  plain.  They  were  interlocked  ;  lances 
and  sabres  were  shivered ;  and  they  grappled  each 
other  in  the  death-embrace.  The  shock  was  dreadful ; 
Colonel  Yell  fell  among  the  foremost ;  but  his  fall  was 
fearfully  avenged.*  The  fight  was  of  short  duration. 
The  rifle  battalions  under  Majors  Trail  and  Gorman, 
and  a  portion  of  the  Indiana  infantry  which  had  re 
treated,  were  formed  under  the  direction  of  Major 
Munroe,  chief  of  artillery,  and  Major  Morrison  of  the 
volunteer  staff.  The  enemy  did  not  wait  to  meet  this 
additional  force.  Their  column  divided  ;  one  part  re 
treating  to  the  mountains,  and  the  other  dashing  through 
the  hacienda,  where  they  received  a  galling  fire  from 
the  riflemen  and  infantry.  Lieutenant  Colonel  May 
had  at  this  moment  come  up,  and  aided  with  his  com 
mand  in  completing  the  rout  of  this  portion  of  the 
lancers. 

The  whole  Mexican  column  which  had  turned  the 

*  The  wounds  inflicted  by  the  Mexican  lancers  were  severe.  Some 
of  them  seemed  to  take  great  delight  in  torturing  the  wounded  and  the 
dying.  The  body  of  Adjutant  Vaughn,  of  the  Kentucky  cavalry,  who 
fell  in  this  charge,  contained  no  less  than  fourteen  wounds,  more  than 
one  half  of  which  were  mortal. 


RUSE    OF    SANTA    ANNA.  233 

American  left  were  now  in  a  critical  position.  On 
one  flank  the  regular  dragoons,  the  Kentucky  and 
Arkansas  cavalry,  Lieutenant  Reynolds'  section  of  ar 
tillery,  and  the  rallied  men  under  Majors  Trail  and 
Gorman,  and  on  the  other  the  batteries  of  Sherman 
and  Bragg,  and  the  3rd  Indiana  and  Mississippi  reg 
iments,  were  advancing  to  complete  their  destruction. 
Behind  them  was  the  wall  of  mountains,  and  before 
them  a  band  of  determined  men,  firm  as  the  hills  which 
looked  down  upon  their  valor,  whose  messengers  of 
death  were  sending  so  many  of  their  number  to  their 
last  account.  They  faced  about  to  retrace  their  steps, 
exposing  their  right  flank  to  the  American  fire,  but 
caring  only  to  reach  some  place  of  safety.  Just  as 
they  commenced  their  retreat,  a  white  flag  was  seen 
approaching  from  the  Mexican  head-quarters.  Its 
bearer  delivered  a  message  from  Santa  Anna  to  Gen 
eral  Taylor,  requesting  to  know  what  the  latter  wanted. 
General  Wool  was  ordered  to  the  enemy's  lines,  to  de 
mand  the  immediate  surrender  of  the  column  cut  off 
from  the  main  body,  and  the  American  soldiers  slack 
ened  their  fire. 

General  Wool  soon  learned  that  the  Mexican  com 
mander  had  practised  a  ruse.  He  was  unable  to  in 
duce  the  enemy  to  stop  the  fire  of  their  battery,  and 
returned  without  having  an  interview  with  Santa  Anna. 
The  retreating  column  had  in  the  meantime  taken  ad 
vantage  of  the  pause  in  the  fire,  and  the  configuration 
of  the  ground,  and  were  no  longer  in  immediate  dan 
ger.  As  they  came  opposite  the  American  centre,  the 
1st  and  2nd  Illinois,  the  2nd  Kentucky,  and  Lieuten 
ant  O'Brien  with  two  guns  from  Washington's  battery, 
moved  forward  to  terminate  the  contest  by  a  vigorous 
charge.  The  movement  was  unfortunate,  and  again 


*234  LAST    EFFORT    OF    THE    ENEMY. 

the  tide  of  battle  turned.  Resolved  to  make  one 
more  final  and  desperate  struggle  for  the  mastery, 
Santa  Anna  had  already  ordered  up  his  reserves,  and 
his  batteries  redoubled  their  fire.  The  reinforcements 
marched  up  the  ravine  in  front  of  the  original  line  of 
battle,  as  the  Americans  were  advancing,  and  formed 
at  the  base  of  the  mountains,  in  connection  with  the 
column  which  had  retreated.  Against  so  powerful  an 
host  that  little  phalanx  could  not  have  been  expected 
to  prevail.  Borne  down  before  this  overwhelming 
array  which  came  so  unexpectedly  upon  them,  the  in 
fantry  retired  down  the  smaller  ravines  to  the  road. 
The  lancers  followed  close  upon  them,  slaughtering  in 
discriminately  those  who  lay  helpless  beneath  their 
horses'  hoofs,  those  who  were  willing  to  surrender,  and 
those  who  died  with  a  note  of  defiance  on  their  lips. 
Colonels  Hardin  and  McKee,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Clay,  were  among  the  slain.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Clay 
was  not  mortally  wounded,  and  his  men  endeavored 
to  carry  him  from  the  ground.  Seeing  so  many  falling 
around  him,  he  begged  to  be  laid  down  upon  the  field, 
where  he  died  fighting  bravely  to  the  last.  A  prompt 
fire  from  Washington's  battery  upon  the  lancers,  as 
they  attempted  to  follow  the  American  infantry  into 
the  road,  put  an  end  to  the  pursuit. 

Meanwhile  Lieutenant  O'Brien  had  never  ceased 
his  fire.  Two  horses  were  shot  under  him,  and  a 
second  time  were  all  his  cannoneers  cut  down.  The 
enemy  seemed  goaded  to  desperation,  and  continued 
to  press  forward.  Still  he  remained  firmly  by  his  guns, 
and  never  left  them  until  the  Mexicans  were  at  their 
muzzles.  Both  pieces  were  captured  and  taken  from 
the  field.  The  crisis  of  the  action  had  arrived.  The 
centre  of  the  American  line  was  almost  forced.  But 


THE    DEFEAT.  235 

relief  was  nigh.  Captain  Bragg  hurried  forward  with 
his  battery  at  a  gallop,  and  reached  the  plateau  before 
all  was  lost.  Without  any  infantry  to  support  him  he 
opened  his  fire  within  a  few  yards  of  the  Mexican 
line.*  General  Taylor  had  also  arrived  upon  this  part 
of  the  field,  which  he  saw  must  be  maintained  at  any 
cost,  and  his  presence  served  to  animate  the  men.  The 
enemy  wavered,  but  recovered ;  additional  quantities 
of  grape  were  forced  into  the  American  guns  ;  again 
the  Mexicans  staggered  back,  but  they  rallied  once 
more,  like  some  giant  in  the  last  agony  struggling  with 
the  destroyer  death.  At  this  time  Sherman  had 
Drought  his  battery  to  bear  upon  them,  and  the  3rd 
Indiana  and  Mississippi  regiments  advanced  upon  their 
i' ight  flank.  Neither  man  nor  horse  could  stand  before 
that  iron  torrent,  which  swept  the  plain  as  with  the 
besom  of  destruction.  Repulsed,  routed,  and  in  dis 
order,  they  abandoned  the  contest. 

As  soon  as  the  action  commenced  at  Buena  Vista, 
in  the  morning  of  the  23rd,  a  demonstration  was  made 
on  the  redoubt  and  encampment  at  Saltillo,  by  the  lan 
cers  under  General  Miiion.  Major  Warren  had  di 
rected  the  streets  to  be  barricaded,  and  three  of  his 
companies  were  thrown  into  the  cathedral.  Captain 
Webster  opened  upon  the  enemy  with  his  twenty-four 
pounder  howitzers,  as  soon  as  they  came  within  range, 
and  drove  them  beyond  the  reach  of  his  shells,  with 
the  loss  of  several  men  and  horses.  They  succeeded, 

*  In  reply  to  Captain  Bragjj's  request  to  be  furnished  with  a  support 
ing  party,  General  Taylor,  turning  to  the  chief  of  his  staff,  said — "  Major 
Bliss  and  I  will  support  you  !"  and  immediately  galloped  forward.  When 
the  enemy  appeared  inclined  to  persist  in  their  advance,  the  general 
gave  ms  celebrated  order  -"  A  little  more  grape,  Captain  Bragg !" — 
words  which  will  long  be  remembered  in  connection  with  the  events  of 
that  day. 

12 


236  REMARKS    ON    THE    BATTLE. 

however,  in  occupying  the  road  south  of  the  town, 
and  picked  up  a  number  of  fugitives  from  the  principal 
field.  Between  two  and  three  o'clock  they  began  to 
move  towards  their  former  position,  when  Captain 
Shover  advanced  upon  them  at  a  gallop,  with  a  six- 
pounder,  in  the  open  plain,  and  poured  his  shot  into 
the  flank  of  the  column.  A  number  of  teamsters  and 
fugitives  from  the  battle-ground  now  joined  him,  and 
he  pressed  forward.  The  enemy  retired  behind  a  hill, 
and  prepared  to  charge  down  upon  him  as  he  ascended 
it ;  but  by  moving  his  piece  to  the  right  he  gained  a 
favorable  position,  and  a  single  shot  dispersed  them 
Meanwhile  Captain  Webster  had  ordered  Lieutenant 
Donaldson  with  one  gun  from  the  redoubt  to  the  assist 
ance  of  Captain  Shover.  Both  pieces  were  brought  to 
bear  upon  the  retiring  column,  when  they  broke,  and 
fled  up  the  base  of  the  mountain  to  their  encampment. 
In  the  morning  they  were  seen  retiring  through  the 
Palames  pass,  and  did  not  make  their  appearance  again 
on  the  Saltillo  p<  ;in. 

The  battle  of  Buena  Vista  does  not  require  words  of 
commendation.  The  facts  are  of  themselves  eloquent. 
The  pass  of  Angostura,  the  plain  upon  which  the  bravery 
of  those  volunteers,  many  of  whom  had  never  before 
been  in  action,  was  tested,  and  the  hills  which  flank 
it,  will  be  a  perpetual  monument.  Less  than  five 
thousand  men,  not  five  hundred  of  whom  were  reg 
ulars,  with  fourteen  pieces  of  artillery,  maintained  their 
position,  though  the  ravines  around  them  streamed 
with  their  blood,  from  early  dawn  until  set  of  sun.* 
Sometimes  the  day  seemed  almost  lost,  and  General 

*  General  Taylor's  total  strength,  exclusive  of  the  force  at  Saltilta, 
was  4,759.  The  regulars  engaged,  deducting  the  general  staff,  QUID* 
bered  only  476.  Most  of  his  guns  were  of  srnull  calibre.  , 


KILLED    AND    WOUNDED.  237 

Taylor  was  advised  by  several  of  his  officers  to  retire 
to  a  new  position.  This  could  never  have  been  done 
with  volunteers.  There  was  but  one  alternative : 
they  must  fight  where  they  stood,  or  surrender.  Had 
they  been  regulars,  there  would  have  been  more  una 
nimity  in  their  efforts  ;  but  it  may  have  been  fortunate 
that  they  were  otherwise.  Many  of  them  looked  upon 
the  contest  as  a  personal  matter,  and  being  unable  to 
appreciate  the  disadvantages  which  an  experienced 
soldier  would  have  instantly  remarked,  so  long  as  they 
were  whole  and  unharmed,  there  was  no  immediate 
danger.  The  Mexican  troops  were  wearied  and  hun 
gry,  and  in  some  degree  dispirited ;  yet  they  literally 
fought  for  their  bread,  and  this,  too,  with  the  ferocity 
of  wolves,  and  an  energy  bordering  upon  despair. 

The  loss  sustained  by  the  American  army  on  this 
occasion  was  dreadfully  severe.  Seven  hundred  and 
twenty-three,  nearly  one-sixth  of  the  whole  number 
engaged,  were  either  killed  or  wounded,  and  there 
were  twenty-three  missing.  The  Mexican  loss  was 
between  fifteen  hundred  and  two  thousand.*  The 
American  officers  were  not  behind  their  men  in  the 
exhibition  of  zeal  and  bravery.  There  were  three 
hundred  and  thirty-four  in  the  battle,  sixty-nine  of 
whom,  more  than  one-fifth,  were  killed  or  wounded. f 

*  Santa  Anna,  in  his  official  report,  represents  his  loss  to  have  been 
1 ,500.  The  number  of  prisoners  taken  by  the  Americans  was  294 .  Gen 
eral  Lombardini  was  severely  wounded. 

t  There  were  twenty-eight  officers  killed  in  the  battle,  viz. ;  Captain 
Lincoln,  assistant  adjutant-general ;  Lieutenants  Moore  and  McNulty, 
Mississippi  rifles ;  Colonel  Hardin,  Captain  Zabriskie,  and  Lieutenant 
Houghton,  1st  Illinois;  Captain  Woodward,  Lieutenants  Rountrce, 
Fletcher,  Ferguson,  Robbins,  Kelley,  Steele,  Bartleson,  Atherton,  and 
Price,  2nd  Illinois;  Lieutenants  Campbell  and  Leonhard,  Texas  volun 
teers;  Captains  Kinder  and  Walker,  and  Lieutenant  Parr,  2nd  Indi- 


238  HETREAT    OF    THE    MEXICANS. 

Generals  Taylor  and  Wool  were  often  exposed  dur 
ing  the  day  to  the  severest  fire.     Colonel  Whiting,  as 
sistant  quartermaster-general,  Colonels  Churchill  and 
Belknap,   inspectors-general,  Major   Mansfield  of  the 
engineers,    Major   Munroe,   chief  of  artillery,   Major 
Bliss,  assistant  adjutant-general,  and  Captain  Eaton, 
and  Lieutenants  Garnett  and  McDowell,  aids-de-camp, 
were  conspicuous  for  their  gallantry. 

It  was  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  23rd,  when  Santa 
Anna  finally  withdrew  his  men  from  the  field.  The 
American  line  had  been  turned  in  the  morning,  but 
the  ground  then  lost  was  now  entirely  recovered. 
Night  once 'more  fell  upon  that  valley;  wood  could 
not  be  procured,  and  again  the  soldiers  bivouacked  at 
their  posts  without  fires,  though  the  mercury  stood  be 
low  the  freezing  point.  They  expected  that  the  con 
test  would  be  renewed  in  the  morning,  but  they  were 
ready  for  the  attack.  The  wounded  were  removed  to 
Saltillo.  Seven  fresh  companies  were  drawn  from  the 
town,  and  General  Marshall  was  rapidly  coming  up 
with  a  reinforcement  of  Kentucky  cavalry,  and  four 
heavy  guns  under  Captain  Prentiss,  of  the  1st  artillery, 
having  made  a  forced  march  from  the  pass  of  Rinco- 
nada,  on  the  road  to  Monterey.  When  the  morning 
light  broke  in  upon  the  American  soldiers,  their  eyes 
were  turned  towards  the  Mexican  encampment.  The 
enemy  were  no  longer  to  be  seen  ;  they  had  vanished 
in  the  darkness.  It  was  soon  ascertained  that  Santa 
Anna  had  fallen  back  to  Agua  Nueva.  No  pursuit 
was  ordered  by  General  Taylor,  as  his  men  had  not 

ana ;  Captain  Taggart,  3rd  Indiana ;  Colonel  McKee,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Clay,  and  Captain  Willis,  2nd  Kentucky;  Colonel  Yell  and 
Captain  Porter,  Arkansas  cavalry;  and  Adjutant  Vaughn,  1st  Ken 
tucky  cavalry. 


GENERAL    UBREA. 

yet  recovered  from  their  weariness  and  exhaustion. 
An  exchange  of  prisoners  was  negotiated  on  the  24th, 
and  completed  on  the  following  day.  On  the  26th  the 
Mexican  army  commenced  a  disastrous  retreat,  leav 
ing  large  numbers  of  their  wounded  to  be  cared  for  by 
General  Taylor's  army.  The  Americans  resumed  their 
position  at  Agua  Nueva  on  the  27th  of  February. 
Colonel  Belknap  was  dispatched  with  a  command  to 
Encarnacion,  on  the  1st  of  March,  and  found  the  road 
side  strewed  with  the  dead  and  dying  of  the  discom 
fited  host  hurrying  onward  to  San  Luis  Potosi,  with  a 
dark  cloud  of  vultures  hovering  constantly  on  their 
track.* 

While  the  American  and  Mexican  armies  were  con 
tending  on  the  field  of  Buena  Vista,  General  Urrea 
and  his  cavalry  made  their  appearance  in  the  valley 
of  the  San  Juan.  They  arrived  before  Marin  at  noon 
on  the  23rd  of  February,  and  threatened  an  attack  upon 
the  force  at  that  place,  which  consisted  of  three  com 
panies  of  the  2nd  Ohio  infantry  under  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Irvin.  Information  was  immediately  sent  to  Mon 
terey  that  the  post  was  in  danger,  and  Colonel  Ormsby, 
of  the  Louisville  Legion,  then  in  command  in  that 

*  The  capture  of  three  pieces  of  artillery,  and  a  few  company  mark- 
ingrflags,  were  the  only  trophies  borne  from  the  field  by  Santa  Anna  ; 
but  these  were  pointed  to  as  affording  conclusive  evidence  that  the  vic 
tory  had  been  won  by  the  Mexican  army.  General  Taylor  was  not 
moved  from  his  original  position  ;  yet  the  Mexican  commander  declared 
that  he  would  have  done  this  if  his  army  had  not  been  almost  destitute 
of  food  and  water.  A  few  more  such  victories  might  have  caused  Gen 
eral  Taylor  to  repeat  the  lamentation  of  Pyrrhus,  but  Santa  Anna 
never  could  have  entered  Saltillo  except  as  a  prisoner  of  war.  There 
was  food  in  plenty  behind  the  American  lines,  and  why  did  he  not  take 
it  1  He  knew  he  lacked  the  power,  and  hence  his  retreat,  to  which  he 
applied  the  milder  term  of"  countermarch,"  was  ordered. 


240  ATTACK    ON    A    WAGON    TRAIN. 

town,*  promptly  dispatched  Major  Shepherd  with  three 
companies  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  to  the  relief  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Irvin.  The  advance  guard  of 
Major  Shepherd  encountered  the  enemy  on  the  road, 
and  a  slight  skirmish  took  place.  The  pieces  were 
discharged  upon  the  right  and  left,  and  a  volley  of 
musketry  fired  into  the  chaparral,  when  the  detach 
ment  moved  forward  without  interruption,  and  reached 
Marin  in  the  morning  of  the  25th.  Several  skirmishes 
had  already  taken  place,  but  the  enemy  retired  on  the 
arrival  of  the  reinforcement. 

Meanwhile  Colonel  Morgan,  of  the  2nd  Ohio  volun 
teers,  was  advancing  with  eight  companies  of  his  reg 
iment,  about  two  hundred  men,  from  Serai  vo.  He 
had  received  instructions  from  General  Taylor  on  the 
23rd,  to  concentrate  his  regiment  at  that  point,  and 
march  to  Monterey  forthwith.  He  left  Seralvo  in  the 
morning  of  the  24th,  and  in  the  evening  was  met  by 
a  courier,  who  informed  him  that  a  most  atrocious  act 
of  barbarity  had  just  been  committed  by  a  portion  of 
the  force  commanded  by  General  Urrea ;  that  a  wagon- 
train  under  the  escort  of  Lieutenant  Barbour,  with 
forty  men,  had  been  surrounded  near  Ramos  ;  and 
that  the  soldiers  had  been  killed  or  taken  prisoners, 
and  the  wagoners  butchered.  He  proceeded  on  his 
march  during  the  night,  and  at  two  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  25th  reached  the  scene  of  the  disaster, 
where  he  found  the  bodies  of  between  forty  and  fifty 
of  the  wagoners  horribly  mutilated,  some  of  them  hav- 

*  General  Butler  had  returned  to  the  United  States,  under  the  ad 
vice  of  his  physicians,  on  account  of  his  wound  received  at  the  storm- 
iu^  »i  ^'  nterey,  from  which  he  did  not  recover  for  a  long  time.  Most 
of  the  balls  used  by  the  Mexicans  were  of  copper,  and  very  poisonous 
in  their  effect,  especially  in  that  warm  climate 


BKIRMI3II    NEAR    AGUA    FRIO.  211 

iijj5  been  staked  to  tlie  ground  and  cut  to  pieces,  the 
wagons  burning,  and  several  of  the  dead  bodies  con 
suming  in  the  flames.  The  march  was  continued  to 
Marin,  which  was  found  nearly  deserted,  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Jrvin  having  proceeded  towards  Monterey 
upon  the  arrival  of  Major  Shepherd.  At  eleven  o'clock 
at  night  on  the  25th  the  camp-fires  of  the  enemy  were 
seen  in  the  distance,  and  in  an  hour  Colonel  Morgan 
was  again  upon  the  road.  On  the  morning  of  the  2(Jth, 
when  within  a  mile  and  a  half  of  Agua  Frio,  his  flank 
ers  reported  the  enemy  to  be  in  force  in  the  chaparral 
on  either  side  of  the  road.  Forming  his  men  in  a 
square  he  resumed  his  march,  after  driving  back  a 
small  body  of  Mexicans  who  made  their  appearance 
on  his  flanks.  A  short  distance  beyond  Agua  Frio  the 
enemy  again  appeared,  full  eight  hundred  strong  ;  and 
a  constant  firing  was  kept  up  until  the  detachment  ap 
proached  San  Francisco.  Clouds  of  lancers  hovered 
around,  threatening  to  sweep  down  upon  the  small 
force  and  overthrow  them  in  an  instant.  Lieutenant 
Stevens  was  now  dispatched  to  overtake  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Irvin.  Dashing  through  the  enemy  who  oc 
cupied  the  chaparral  flanking  both  sides  of  the  road, 
he  came  up  with  him  at  Walnut  Springs.  The  latter 
at  once  returned,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  and 
two  field-pieces,  and  joined  his  regiment  in  a  few  hours, 
dislodging  a  body  of  the  enemy  fronr  their  ambush  as 
he  advanced  in  front.  In  the  meantime  Colonel  Mor 
gan  had  repulsed  a  vigorous  charge  made  upon  his 
front  and  flanks,  and  on  being  joined  by  the  reinforce 
ment  he  ordered  an  attack.  An  animated  action  took 
place,  which  continued  for  a  few  minutes,  when  the 
enemy  retreated  in  confusion,  having  lost  upwards  of 
fifty  men  in  killed  and  wounded.  The  American  loss. 


242  TRAIN    UNDER    MAJOR    GIDDINGS. 

was  five  killed,  among  whom  was  Captain  Graham, 
assistant  quartermaster,  and  one  wounded.  The  de 
tachment  was  not  molested  again  on  the  route  to 
Monterey. 

On  the  5th  of  March,  Major  Giddings,  of  the  1st 
Ohio  regiment,  with  a  mixed  command  of  two  hundred 
and  sixty  men,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  escorting  a 
large  wagon-train,  and  Major  Coffee  and  Lieutenant 
Crittenden,  bearers  of  dispatches,  left  Monterey  for 
Camargo.  On  the  7th,  he  was  attacked  by  the  Mex 
ican  lancers  and  rancheros  under  Generals  Urrea  and 
Romero,  who  completely  surrounded  his  command. 
The  wagon-train  was  ordered  to  be  parked  in  the 
centre,  as  well  as  it  could  be  done  considering  its  ex 
tent.  One  company  was  posted  in  the  rear  with  a 
single  piece  of  artillery,  and  the  remainder  of  the  force, 
with  the  other  gun,  were  in  front.  The  enemy  suc 
ceeded  in  breaking  through  the  train ;  a  number 
of  the  drivers  deserted  their  teams ;  and  the  fright 
ened  mules  sprang  from  the  road  into  the  chaparral. 
Forty  wagons  were  captured  by  the  Mexicans  and 
burned.*  A  warm  fire  was  kept  up  from  the  front ; 
but  the  rear-guard  was  in  extreme  danger.  A  parley 
wras  sounded,  and  a  surrender  demanded.  This  was 
not  to  be  entertained  a  single  moment.  Captain  Brad 
ley  cut  his  way  through  to  the  rear  with  eighty  men, 
and  the  whole  train  was  soon  re-united.  The  enemy 
could  make  no  further  impression,  and  withdrew  to 
wards  Seralvo.  Early  on  the  8th,  Major  Giddings 
entered  the  town,  and  found  that  the  Mexicans  had 

*  One  of  the  wagons  burned  contained  a  large  quantity  of  ammuni 
tion  which  exploded,  and  killed  or  wounded  ten  of  the  enemy.  After 
that  time  they  were  more  careful  how  they  attempted  to  make  a  bonfire 
of  such  combustible  materials. 


INDEMNITY    REaUIRED.  243 

evacuated  it  in  the  night.  Here  he  awaited  the  arri 
val  of  ColonePCurtis,  who  had  left  Camargo  several 
days  previous  with  1:200  men,  in  order  to  obtain  a  new 
supply  of  ammunition.  Colonel  Curtis  reached  Seralvo 
on  the  12th,  and  Major  Giddings  resumed  his  march, 
arriving  at  Camargo  on  the  15th. 

Colonel  Curtis  continued  on  his  way  to  Monterey, 
attempting  in  vain  to  come  up  with  the  enemy,  until 
the  18th  instant,  when  he  was  met  near  Marin  by  Gen 
eral  Taylor,  with  Lieutenant  Colonel  May's  dragoons 
and  Bragg's  artillery,  also  irr  pursuit  of  Urrea.  The 
general  had  left  Agua  Nueva,  General  Wool  remaining 
in  command  of  the  forces  in  that  quarter,  as  soon  as 
he  heard  of  the  outrages  which  had  been  committed. 
The  pursuit  was  continued  by  the  united  force,  but 
Urrea  eluded  them  by  retiring  beyond  the  mountains. 
General  Taylor  returned  to  Monterey,  and  on  the  31st 
of  March  issued  a  proclamation  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Tamaulipas,  New  Leon  and  Coahuila,  reminding  them 
of  the  manner  in  which  the  war  had  so  far  been  con 
ducted  on  his  part,  and  of  the  respect  paid  to  their 
persons  and  property  so  long  as  they  remained  neu 
tral  ;  but,  inasmuch  as  many  of  them  had  been  con 
cerned  in  the  destruction  of  the  wagon-trains,  and  the 
pillage  of  their  contents,  he  demanded  an  indemnifica 
tion  to  be  forthwith  made — each  district,  or  juzgado, 
being  required  to  pay  its  due  proportion.  The  assess 
ments  were  made,  and  payment  enforced.  No  further 
outrages  of  this  character  were  committed,  and  Gen 
eral  Taylor  again  established  his  head-quarters  at  Wal 
nut  Springs,  leaving  General  Wool  still  in  command  at 
Saltillo  and  its  vicinity. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

SAN     JUAN     DE     ULUA. 

The  Island  of  Lobos— Rendezvous  of  American  Forces— Offer  to  nego 
tiate— Vera  Cruz— Castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua— Landing  of  the 
Troops  under  General  Scott— Skirmishing— Line  of  Investment- 
Bombardment — Effect  of  the  Fire— Affair  at  the  Puente  del  Midois— 
Dragoon  fight  at  Madellin — Capitulation  of  the  City  and  Castle — 
Capture  of  Alvarado— Advance  of  the  Army  into  the  Interior— Open 
ing  of  the  Mexican  Ports. 

THE  island  of  Lobos  is  one  of  the  gems  of  the  "  Blue 
Gulf."  It  is  a  sweet  little  spot,  barely  two  miles  in 
circumference,  and  formed  entirely  of  coral.  The 
Mexican  coast  is  about  twelve  miles  from  its  western 
shore  ;  Tampico  sixty-five  miles  to  the  north-west,  and 
Vera  Cruz  twice  that  distance  in  the  opposite  direction. 
It  is  covered  with  choice  tropical  fruits  and  plants, 
with  trees  and  shrubs  of  every  variety.  There  are 
lemons  and  figs,  banyan  and  palm-trees — the  latter 
rarely  exceeding  twenty-five  feet  in  height.  Many  of 
the  banyans  are  completely  thatched  over  with  ever 
green  vines,  and  form  most  agreeable  arbors,  through 
which  the  sunlight  falls,  softly  and  silently,  like  flakes 
of  snow,  and  the  cool  sea  breeze  finds  its  way,  bear 
ing  health,  and  life,  and  strength  upon  its  wings. 

During  the  month  of  February,  1847,  the  various 
detachments  of  troops  arrived,  which  had  been  ordered 
to  rendezvous  at  Lobos,  preparatory  to  making  the 
descent  upon  the  main  land  ;  General  Patterson  having 


GENERAL  WINFIELD  SCOTT, 
Commander  in-Chief  United  States  Army. 


RENDEZVOUS    AT    LOBOS.  245 

marched  with  his  division  from  Victoria  to  Tampico, 
at  which  point  he  embarked;  Generals  Scott  and 
Worth  sailing  from  the  Brazos  ;  and  the  remainder  of 
the  forces  proceeding  directly  from  the  United  States 
to  the  island.  One  of  the  steamers,  the  Ondiaka,  em 
ployed  in  transporting  the  troops,  and  having  on  board 
a  regiment  of  Louisiana  volunteers,  under  the  com 
mand  of  Colonel  De  Russey,  was  driven  ashore  in  a 
gale  and  wrecked,  between  Lobos  and  Tampico.  Soon 
after  reaching  the  land,  they  encountered  a  large  body 
of  Mexicans  commanded  by  General  Cos.  The  reg 
iment  were  without  arms  ;  yet  Colonel  De  Russey  in 
stantly  formed  them  in  battle  array,  as  if  to  receive  the 
enemy.  They  were  summoned  to  surrender  immedi 
ately  ;  but  an  answer  was  delayed  until  evening,  when 
camp-fires  were  lighted,  and  preparations  apparently 
made  to  pass  the  night.  The  Mexicans  were  deceived 
by  these  appearances,  and  the  American  troops  took 
advantage  of  the  darkness  and  drew  off  in  silence. 
By  making  a  rapid  march  they  reached  Tampico  with 
out  again  meeting  the  enemy. 

Many  of  the  supplies  necessary  for  the  army  had 
not  arrived  at  the  close  of  the  month ;  but  the  soldiers 
were  now  in  fine  spirits,  and,  as  it  was  already  getting 
late  in  the  season,  General  Scott  decided  not  to  post 
pone  the  expedition.  Fishing  and  turtle-hunting  were 
at  once  suspended,  the  troops  were  embarked,  and  the 
transports  got  under  way.  In  the  afternoon  of  the 
5th  of  March  the  whole  fleet  came  bearing  down  to 
wards  Anton  Lizardo  before  a  violent  norther,  dark 
ening  the  horizon  with  their  clouds  of  canvas,  and  SOOD 
filling  the  bay  with  a  dense  forest  of  masts  and  spars. 
It  was  designed  that  the  attack  on  Vera  Cruz  and  the 
castle  should  be  made  by  the  army  and  navy  in  co- 


246         PROPOSITION    TO    APPOINT    COMMISSIONERS. 

operation  with  each  other ;  and  on  the  7th  instant, 
a  reconnaissance  of  the  coast  above  and  below  the 
city,  was  made  by  General  Scott  and  Commodore 
Conner,  in  the  steamer  Petrita.  From  the  informa 
tion  obtained  on  this  occasion,  and  that  acquired  from 
time  to  time  by  the  naval  officers  employed  in  that 
station,  it  was  thought  best  to  effect  a  landing  on  the 
beach  south  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  due  west  of  the  island 
of  Sacrificios. 

While  General  Scott  was  on  his  way  to  the  seat  of 
war,  and  preparations  were  being  made  for  the  expedi 
tion  against  Vera  Cruz,  a  third,  and  more  specific  prop 
osition,  was  made  to  the  Mexican  government  for  the 
conclusion  of  a  peace.  On  the  18th  of  January,  1847, 
Mr.  Buchanan  forwarded  a  dispatch  to  the  minister 
of  foreign  relations,  by  the  hands  of  one  Mr.  Atocha, 
whose  diplomatic  abilities  do  not  appear  to  have  been 
of  the  very  highest  order,  in  which  it  was  proposed 
that  a  commissioner,  or  commissioners,  should  be  ap 
pointed,  to  meet  at  Havana  or  Jalapa,  clothed  with  full 
powers  to  conclude  a  treaty  of  peace.  In  the  absence 
of  Santa  Anna,  then  advancing  to  meet  General  Tay 
lor,  the  vice-president,  Gomez  Farias,  signified  his 
readiness  to  concur  in  the  appointment  of  commission 
ers,  but  required  as  a  preliminary  condition,  that  the 
blockade  should  be  raised,  and  that  the  American  in 
vading  forces  should  evacuate  the  territory  of  Mexico 
or,  in  other  words,  that  all  the  advantages  which  had 
been  gained  should  be  sacrificed,  and  the  American 
government  once  more  trust  solely  to  that  faith  which 
the  experience  of  more  than  twenty  years  had  shown 
to  be  as  brittle  as  a  rope  of  sand.  It  is  almost  un 
necessary  to  say,  that  the  President  of  the  United 
States  regarded  these  conditions  as  being  wholly  inad- 


CITY    OF    VERA    CRUZ.  247 

missible.  The  Mexican  government  was  informed  of 
his  decision,  in  a  dispatch  from  the  Department  of  State, 
on  the  15th  of  April.  It  was  also  stated,  that  the  offer 
to  negotiate  would  not  again  be  renewed,  until  a  more 
pacificatory  spirit  was  manifested  by  the  Mexican  au 
thorities  ;  yet,  in  order  that  an  opportunity  to  make 
peace  might  at  all  times  be  afforded,  the  chief  clerk  in 
the  State  Department,  Mr.  Nicholas  P.  Trist,  would  be 
sent  to  the  head-quarters  of  the  army  forthwith,  as  a 
commissioner  invested  with  full  powers  to  conclude  a 
treaty.* 

Before  this  diplomatic  correspondence  was  finally 
closed,  the  army  under  General  Scott  had  carried  the 
victorious  standard  of  the  American  Union  far  into 
the  interior  of  Mexico. 

VERA  CRUZ-)-  has  long  been  celebrated,  both  for  its 
commercial  importance,  and  its  commanding  position 
at  the  terminus,  on  the  Gulf,  of  the  great  national  road 
leading  from  the  city  of  Mexico  to  the  sea-coast.  It 
is  situated  on  the  exact  spot  where  Hernando  Cortes 
and  his  brave  Spaniards  landed,  on  the  21st  of  April, 
1519.  The  name  of  Chalchiuheuecan  was  then  given 
to  it ;  but  no  permanent  colony  was  established  there 
at  that  time.  The  city  was  founded  near  the  close  of 
the  sixteenth  century,  while  the  Marquis  of  Monterey 
was  governor  of  Mexico,  and  received  a  charter  of  in 
corporation  in  1615.  The  location  has  always  been 
an  unhealthy  one,  as  is  the  case  with  most  of  the  towns 
situated  in  the  tierra  caliente,  or  low  ground  bordering 
upon  the  Gulf.  The  climate  is  moist,  and  its  natural 
warmth  is  increased  by  the  reflection  from  the  sandy 

*  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  No.  t  (pp.  36,  et.  seq.),  1st  Session,  30th  Con 
gress. 
f  The  True  Cross. 


248  SAN    JUAN    DE    ULUA. 

plains  in  the  vicinity.  The  quality  of  the  water  is 
bad  ;  the  atmosphere  poisoned  by  noxious  exhalations 
from  numerous  ponds  and  marshes ;  and  the  air  full  of 
insects,  the  most  annoying  and  conspicuous  of  which 
is  the  tancudo,  a  species  of  mosquito.  From  October 
to  April,  during  which  time  the  north  winds  prevail, 
the  situation  is  comparatively  healthy.  The  city  is 
small,  its  population  scarcely  exceeding  seven  thousand 
in  1844;  but  it  is  laid  out  neatly  and  regularly.  The 
streets  are  wide,  straight,  and  well  paved.  The  houses 
are  built  of  the  Muscara  stone,  taken  from  the  sea-beach ; 
they  are  mostly  two  stories  high,  and  very  neat  in  their 
appearance.  The  churches  and  public  buildings  are 
large  and  fine  structures.  On  the  east  the  walls  of  the 
town  are  laved  by  the  waters  of  the  Gulf,  and  on  the 
opposite  side  there  is  a  dry  sandy  plain,  bounded,  be 
yond  cannon  range,  by  innumerable  hills  of  loose  sand, 
from  twenty  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  height, 
which  are  separated  by  almost  impassable  forests  of 
chaparral. 

The  city  is  surrounded  by  a  wall  of  stone  and  mortar 
which  is  not  very  thick,  but  has  strong  towers  or  forts 
at  irregular  intervals.  The  two  most  important  towers 
are  the  Santiago  and  the  Conception,  which  flank  that 
portion  of  the  wall  looking  towards  the  Gulf,  and  are 
twelve  hundred  and  seventy  Castilian  varas,  or  yards, 
distant  from  each  other.  But  the  chief  feature  of  the 
defences  of  Vera  Cruz  is  the  famous  Castle  of  SAN 
JUAN  DE  ULUA,*  the  reduction  of  which  was  the 

*  Juan  de  Grijalva  landed  on  the  small  island  upon  which  the  castle 
is  built,  in  1518.  There  was  then  a  small  temple  erected  on  it,  in  which 
human  victims  were  sacrificed  to  the  Aztec  deities.  The  Spaniards  un 
derstood  these  sacrifices  to  be  made  in  accordance  with  the  commands  of 
the  kings  of  Acolhua,  one  of  the  provinces  of  the  empire  ;  and  the  term 
Ulua  is  an  abbreviation,  or  corruption,  of  the  former  name. 


ITS    DEFENCES.  249 

great  object  of  the  expedition  under  General  Scott. 
Its  construction  was  commenced  as  far  back  as  the 
year  1582,  upon  a  bar  or  small  island  in  front  of  the 
town,  at  the  distance  of  one  thousand  and  sixty-two 
yards  from  the  main  land.  Near  forty  millions  of  dol 
lars  have  been  expended  upon  the  work.  It  is  entirely 
surrounded  by  water.  The  exterior  polygon,  facing 
Vera  Cruz,  is  three  hundred  yards  in  length,  and  that 
commanding  the  north  channel  is  not  far  from  two 
hundred  yards.  There  are  several  strong  bastions,  and 
the  castle  is  supported  by  water-batteries  at  the  angles 
of  the  city,  which  double  the  fire  on  both  the  north 
and  south  channels.  The  walls  of  the  fortress  are  from 
twelve  to  fifteen  feat  thick,  and  constructed  of  Mad- 
repora  Astrea,  a  species  of  soft  coral  procured  in  the 
neighboring  islands,  but  faced  with  hard  stone.  The 
casemates  are  impervious  to  shot,  and  the  magazines 
are  all  bomb-proof.  There  are  also  seven  large  cis 
terns,  containing  over  ninety-three  thousand  cubic  feet 
of  water.  Three  hundred  and  seventy  pieces  of  artil 
lery  would  be  a  full  equipment  for  the  castle,  and  it 
would  then  require  a  garrison  of  twenty-five  hundred 
men ;  but  that  number  of  guns  have  never  yet  been 
mounted.  In  the  year  1844,  there  were  one  hundred 
and  five  cannon,  of  various  calibre,  in  the  castle, 
twenty-one  mortars,  and  eight  obuses ;  and,  in  the 
city,  ninety-nine  cannon  and  seven  mortars.*  When 

*  Part  of  the  guns  in  the  castle  were  of  very  heavy  calibre.  Among 
them  were  ten  84- pounders,  ten  64's,  and  ten  15,  8  and  12-pounders, 
(all  Paixhan  guns) ;  thirty-seven  brass,  and  twenty-live  iron  24-pound- 
ers  ;  and  six  18-inch,  and  eight  14-inch  mortars.  Besides  being  sacked 
by  the  pirates  under  Lorencillo  in  IG83,  the  city  of  Vera  Cruz  has  ex 
perienced  many  of  the  reverses  of  war.  It  was  besieged  and  carried 
by  the  revolutionists  in  1821 ;  and  in  the  following  year  was  besieged 
by  the  Spanish  troops.  From  September  1823  to  November  1825,  it 


250  ARMAMENT    AND    GARRISON. 

General  Scott  landed  with  his  army,  there  were  be 
tween  two  hundred  and  fifty  and  three  hundred  can 
non  in  the  city  and  castle.  The  latter  was  garrisoned 
by  near  two  thousand  men,  and  in  the  former  there 
was  from  three  to  five  thousand.  As  at  Monterey, 
many  of  the  streets  in  the  city  were  barricaded,  and 
the  houses  and  walls  pierced  for  musketry.  The  offi 
cer  in  command  of  the  town  and  castle  was  Juan  Mo- 
rales,  governor  and  commanding-general  of  the  state 
of  Vera  Cruz. 

The  debarkation  of  the  troops  was  fixed  for  the  9th 
of  March .  The  surf-boats  were  launched,  and  care 
fully  numi-ered;  and  early  in  the  morning  of  the  ap 
pointed  day,  most  of  the  troops  were  transferred  from 
the  transports  to  the  vessels  of  war,  to  avoid  crowding 
the  contracted  anchorage  between  Sacrificios  and  the 
main  land  with  too  many  sail.  At  eleven  o'clock  the 

was  three  times  bombarded  by  the  Spanish,  then  occupying  the  castle 
of  San  Juan.  In  the  latter  year  the  castle  itself  was  captured  by  the 
Mexicans,  and  the  city  enjoyed  a  season  of  repose.  It  was  again  be 
sieged  by  the  ministerial  troops  in  1832.  In  1838  both  the  castle  and 
town  were  blockaded  and  taken  by  the  French ;  whose  vessels,  how 
ever,  were  allowed  to  take  their  position  undisturbed.  After  this  last 
attack,  extensive  improvements  were  made  in  the  fortifications  of  the 
city,  and  in  the  castle  itself.  During  the  summer  of  1846,  it  was  gen 
erally  supposed  that  the  squadron  under  Commodore  Conner  would  at 
tempt  the  capture  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua  ;  but  it  appears,  from  the  letter 
of  instructions  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  dated  May  13th.  that  the 
naval  force  in  the  Gulf  was  not  thought  to  be  strong  enough  to  make 
the  effort.  It  is  stated  in  a  letter  written  by  an  officer  in  the  American 
army,  that  the  Mexican  commander  of  the  castle  sent  word  to  Commo 
dore  Conner,  that  he  might  bring  his  fleet  up  and  fire  "  until  there  was 
not  a  shot  in  the  locker,  and  he  would  promise  him  not  to  return  a  gun 
until  he  was  done."  The  castle  was  very  strong,  without  doubt,  and 
the  Mexicans  were  confident  of  their  ability  to  hold  it ;  but  they  would 
have  found  it  a  difficult  task  to  resist  the  skill  and  bravery  of  the  army 
and  navy  of  the  United  States,  although  its  reduction  was  effected 
without  putting  them  to  the  test. 


LANDING    OP    THE    AMERICAN    TROOPS.  251 

squadron  was  in  motion,  and  at  three  in  the  afternoon 
it  was  abreast  of  Sacrificios.  Every  thing  appeared  to 
favor  the  movement.  There  was  nothing  like  confu 
sion  or  disorder.  The  soldiers  knew  they. were  about 
to  land  in  an  enemy's  country,  but  it  was  a  moment 
for  which  many  of  them  had  long  panted.  The  scene 
was  full  of  interest  and  animation.  The  inspiring 
strains  of  martial  music  broke  cheerily  on  the  ear. 
The  bay  was  crowded  with  vessels,  filled  with  armed 
men,  whose  bright  muskets  and  bayonets  flashed  in  the 
sunlight.  The  stars  and  stripes  fluttered  everywhere 
in  the  breeze.  In  the  distance  were  the  officers  and 
crews  of  the  foreign  vessels  attentively  watching  the 
proceedings.  Every  fore-top  and  spar  was  crowded 
with  anxious  spectators.  It  was  a  bright,  clear  day, 
and  the  air  was  soft  and  balmy  ;  the  sea  was  scarcely 
ruflled  by  the  mild  breeze  that  came  in  gentle  puff? 
from  the  south-east, — and  the  yellow  haze  of  the  ap 
preaching  evening  rested,  like  the  mantle  of  a  spirit, 
upon  its  broad  bosom,  rising  and  falling  with  the  lore' 
majestic  swells  which  rolled  towards  the  shore;  or  u 
lingered  around  the  tall  spires  and  ancient  battlements 
of  Vera  Cruz,  and  the  gloomy  fortress  of  San  Juan, 
with  its  guns  piled  tier  upon  tier,  frowning  defiance  to 
the  invaders. 

The  landing  commenced  instantly  after  the  arrival 
of  the  squadron.  The  surf-boats,  sixty-five  in  number, 
which  had  been  towed  astern  of  the  larger  vessels, 
were  brought  alongside  to  receive  the  troops,  and  the 
steamers  Spitfire  and  Vixen,  with  five  gun-boats, 
formed  a  line  parallel  with  the  beach,  and  within  good 
grape  range,  to  cover  the  descent.  The  small  boats 
were  manned  by  sailors  from  the  squadron,  and  each 
one  placed  in  charge  of  a  naval  officer.  The  first  line 


252  NO    OPPOSITION    OFFERED. 

ordered  to  disembark,  was  commanded  by  General 
Worth,  and  consisted  of  4,500  men,  fully  armed  and 
accoutred,  and  ready  to  encounter  the  enemy  if  the 
landing  was  opposed.  As  soon  as  the  boats  had  re 
ceived  their  respective  complements,  they  formed  in  a 
line,  abreast,  between  the  gun-boats  and  the  large  ves 
sels.  A  gun  was  then  fired  from  the  Massachusetts, 
as  the  signal  to  "give  way."  The  hardy  seamen  bent 
to  their  task ;  every  muscle  was  strained ;  the  tough 
oars  quivered ;  the  waters  parted ;  and,  like  so  many 
frightened  gulls,  they  darted  towards  the  land.  As  the 
keels  grated  on  the  beach,  the  men  sprang  overboard, 
shouting  and  cheering  as  they  rushed  through  the  water, 
in  their  haste  to  reach  the  shore.  In  a  moment  the 
American  flag  was  unfurled,  and  greeted  with  long  and 
loud  hurrahs.  Their  comrades  remaining  on  board 
the  vessels, — soldiers  and  sailors,  men  and  officers, — 
echoed  back  the  shout,  and  the  bands  of  music  com 
pleted  the  salute  with  the  glorious  notes  of  "  the  Star 
Spangled  Banner." 

On  the  approach  of  the  American  squadron  and 
transports,  Governor  Morales  issued  a  proclamation 
abounding  in  expressions  of  patriotism  ;  but  no  attempt 
was  made  to  oppose  the  landing  of  the  troops.  The 
beach  upon  which  the  disembarkation  took  place  was 
overlooked  by  high  hills,  and  a  few  pieces  of  artillery, 
advantageously  posted,  would  have  done  fearful  execu 
tion  among  the  invading  forces.  No  attempt  was  made 
to  oppose  them,  however, — the  Mexican  commander, 
like  the  ostrich,  which  fancies  itself  secure  when  its 
head  is  hid  in  the  sand,  deeming  himself  perfectly  safe 
while  he  was  surrounded  and  protected  by  stone  walls, 
garnished  with  cannon,  and  bristling  with  bayonets. 
Before  sunset  General  Worth  had  formed  his  men  on 


FIRE    FROM    THE    CITY    AND    CASTLE.  253 

the  shore  in  line  of  battle,  as  a  precautionary  measure 
in  case  they  should  be  molested.  The  remainder  of 
the  troops  were  landed  by  the  surf-boats,  in  successive 
trips,  and  at  ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  the  whole 
army,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  straggling  compa 
nies,  consisting  of  between  ten  and  eleven  thousand 
men,  had  reached  the  shore  in  safety,  without  the 
slightest  accident — a  result  unsurpassed  and  unparal 
leled  in  the  history  of  war.* 

Great  credit  is  due  to  Commodore  Conner,  who  was 
in  his  small  boat  personally  superintending  the  move 
ment,  and  to  the  officers  and  seamen  under  his  com 
mand,  for  the  skilful  and  successful  manner  in  which 
the  disembarkation  was  effected  ;  and  to  General  Scott 
and  his  officers  belongs  the  merit  of  ably  seconding 
the  efforts  to  put  them  and  their  soldiers  upon  the 
shore,  and  of  making  every  preparation  to  gain  a  foot 
hold,  and  maintain  it,  in  spite  of  opposition. 

At  daylight  in  the  morning  of  the  10th,  a  rapid 
fire  of  shot  and  shells  was  opened  from  the  city  and 
castle  upon  the  position  occupied  by  the  American 
army.  A  small  detachment,  under  Captain  Gordon, 
was  sent  out  to  reconnoitre,  and  encountered  a  body 
of  the  enemy,  whom  they  compelled  to  retire  towards 
the  town.  At  sunrise,  the  steamer  Spitfire,  Com 
mander  Tatnall,  moved  up,  and  continued  to  fire  into 
the  city  and  castle  for  nearly  an  hour.  General  Scott 

*  The  French  expedition  against  Algiers,  in  1830,  is  said  to  have 
been  "  the  most  complete  armament  in  every  respect  that  ever  left  Eu 
rope."  Ample  provision  was  made  in  means  and  facilities  for  landing 
the  troops,  and  the  disembarkation  took  place  in  a  wide  bay.  General 
Scott  landed  with  his  army  upon  an  open  beach  directly  on  the  ocean. 
No  resistance  was  offered  in  either  case;  but  the  French  succeeded  in 
landing  only  nine  thousand  men  on  the  first  day,  and  that  with  the  loss 
of  between  thirty  and  forty  livea. 


254  SKIRMISHING. 

landed  early  in  the  morning,  and  at  his  request  the 
marines  of  the  squadron,  organized  into  a  detach 
ment  under  Captain  Edson,  were  sent  ashore,  and 
temporarily  attached  to  the  3rd  artillery.  During  the 
day  another  transport  arrived,  and  the  total  strength 
of  the  army  was  thus  augmented  to  more  than  11,000 
men.  The  regulars  were  divided  into  two  brigades, 
commanded  by  Generals  Worth  and  Twiggs,  and  the 
volunteer  division  of  General  Patterson  into  three  bri 
gades,  under  the  command  of  Generals  Pillow,  Quit- 
man  and  Shields. 

Before  landing,  General  Scott  had  rendered  himself 
familiar  with  the  topography  of  the  country  in  the 
neighborhood  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  the  necessary  orders 
had  been  issued  for  taking  up  the  line  of  investment. 
General  Worth's  brigade  advanced  up  the  beach  on 
the  morning  of  the  10th  instant,  and  occupied  the 
ground  designated  for  his  command,  on  the  right  of  the 
line,  and  within  range  of  the  heavy  guns  of  the  castle. 
Parties  of  Mexican  infantry  and  cavalry  appeared  in 
the  distance,  but  were  dispersed  by  the  mountain  how 
itzers  and  light  batteries.  General  Patterson  then 
moved  forward  with  his  division,  for  the  purpose  of 
forming  on  the  left  of  General  Worth.  The  move 
ment  required  considerable  labor,  and  was  attended 
with  numerous  difficulties.  Roads  were  cut  through 
the  thick  chaparral,  and  the  men  were  obliged  to  drag 
the  cannon  over  the  hills,  half  blinded  by  the  whirling 
sand,  and  exposed  to  the  shot  from  the  enemy's  fortifi 
cations,  which  occasionally  came  whistling  over  their 
heads.  The  brigade  of  General  Pillow,  in  the  advance, 
had  several  skirmishes  with  bodies  of  Mexicans  found 
posted  in  the  chaparral,  who  were  driven  off  with  loss. 
A  party  of  the  enemy  were  also  discovered  in  the 


INVESTMENT  COMPLETED.  255 

magazine,  a  large  and  strong  stone  building  in  rear  of 
the  city.  Captain  Taylor  was  ordered  up  with  one 
piece  of  his  battery,  and  opened  his  fire,  when  the 
Mexicans  immediately  deserted  the  building.  General 
Pillow  pushed  through  the  chaparral  with  the  1st  Ten 
nessee  regiment,  and  took  possession.  At  night  the 
brigade  reached  its  position,  and  on  the  following  day 
Generals  Quitman  and  Shields  formed  their  brigades 
on  the  left.  In  the  morning  of  the  llth,  a  smart  skir 
mish  took  place  with  a  body  of  Mexican  infantry  and 
lancers,  who  were  supported  by  a  brisk  cannonade 
from  the  city.  Captain  Davis,  of  the  Georgia  regi 
ment,  was  thrown  forward  with  a  party  of  riflemen  to 
bring  on  an  engagement,  and  sustained  himself  hand 
somely  until  reinforced  by  two  companies  of  his  regi 
ment  under  Colonel  Jackson,  and  a  portion  of  the 
South  Carolina  regiment,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Dickinson,  when  the  enemy  were  repulsed  and  forced 
to  take  shelter  beneath  the  guns  of  the  town. 

General  Tvviggs  was  ordered  to  take  post  on  the  ex 
treme  left  with  his  brigade,  and  commenced  his  march 
in  the  morning  of  the  llth;  the  progress  of  his  column 
was  interrupted  by  impediments  similar  to  those  which 
had  disturbed  the  march  of  the  volunteer  division  ;  but 
the  difficulties  in  his  way  were  no  sooner  met  than 
they  were  overcome.  His  advance  guard,  consisting 
of  a  squadron  of  the  mounted  riflemen  under  Major 
Sumner,  2nd  dragoons,  repeatedly  came  up  with  par 
ties  of  the  enemy,  who  were  routed  in  an  instant.  The 
head  of  the  column  arrived  at  the  hamlet  of  Vergara, 
on  the  beach  north  of  Vera  Cruz,  about  noon  on  the 
13th  "instant,  and  the  work  of  investment  was  then 
fully  completed.  On  the  same  day  safeguards  were 
sent  by  General  Scott  to  the  foreign  consuls  in  the 


256  OPENING  OF  THE  TRENCHES. 

city,  for  the  protection  of  themselves,  their  families 
and  their  property.  The  toils  were  now  set.  A  cor 
don  of  soldiers,  whose  encampment  extended  in  a  mag 
nificent  semicircle,  from  shore  to  shore,  girt  the  city 
upon  the  one  side,  and  upon  the  other  was  the  broad 
ocean  occupied  by  a  numerous  fleet,  well  manned,  and 
sufficient  to  prevent  all  ingress  in  that  quarter.  To 
break  the  chain  was  impossible ;  and  to  avoid  being 
crushed  by  its  contracting  folds  was  shown  in  the  se 
quel  to  be  equally  vain. 

The  line  of  investment  occupied  a  distance  of  about 
seven  miles,  with  an  interval  of  from  two  and  a  half  to 
three  miles  between  it  and  the  city,  and  throughout  its 
whole  extent  was  within  range  of  the  enemy's  heavy 
artillery,  which  kept  up  an  unremitting  fire  by  day  and 
night,  though  with  little  or  no  effect.  But  very  few  of 
the  carts  and  draught  horses  ordered  for  the  expedition 
had"  at  this  time  arrived  on  the  coast,  and  an  incalcula 
ble  amount  of  labor  was  necessarily  performed  by  the 
troops,  in  hauling  their  cannon  and  supplies  by  hand, 
over  the  sand-hills  and  through  the  thickets  of  chapar 
ral.  As  soon  as  they  were  well  established  in  their 
positions  on  the  line  of  investment,  detachments  were 
sent  out  from  each  brigade  to  clear  its  front,  includ 
ing  the  sub-bourgs,  of  the  enemy's  parties.  This  was 
quickly  accomplished.  The  Mexican  outposts  and  skir 
mishers  were  all  driven  in,  and  reconnaissances  made 
of  the  intervening  ground.  At  midnight  on  the  18th 
instant,  the  trenches  were  opened  by  the  sappers  and 
miners,  within  eight  hundred  yards  of  the  city,  and  bat 
teries  were  constructed  for  the  reception  of  the  heavy 
guns  and  mortars,  under  the  supervision  and  direction 
of  Colonel  Totten,  Major  Smith,  Captains  Lee  and  San- 


THE    CITY    SUMMONED.  257 

ders,  and  the  other  able  and  efficient  officers  of  the 
corps  of  engineers. 

A  succession  of  severe  northers*  delayed  the  land 
ing  of  the  mortars  and  guns  for  several  days,  and  it 
was  riot  until  the  afternoon  of  the  22nd  that  three  bat 
teries  were  completed,  and  seven  mortars  placed  in 
position.  General  Scott  then  summoned  the  city  to 
surrender ;  offering  to  stipulate — for  the  reason  that 
the  heavy  guns,  and  more  than  one  half  of  the  mortars 
intended  for  the  expedition  had  not  then  arrived,  and 
he  was  in  no  situation  to  threaten  the  castle — that  he 
would  not  fire  from  the  town  upon  the  latter,  unless 
he  should  be  first  attacked  by  the  garrison.  Governor 
Morales  chose  to  consider  both  the  city  and  castle 
embraced  in  the  summons,  and  peremptorily  refused 
to  surrender. 

Orders  were  now  given  to  open  the  fire  upon  the 
city,  and  the  commanders  of  the  foreign  vessels  in  the 
harbor  were  officially  notified  by  Commodore  Perry,  f 
that  all  intercourse  with  the  shore  must  for  the  present 
cease.  The  intelligence  of  the  glorious  victory  at 
Buena  Vista  had  just  been  received,  and  the  American 
soldiers  and  sailors  were  full  of  zeal  and  enthusiasm. 
The  plans  and  arrangements  of  General  Scott  had 
been  adopted  with  caution,  but  they  were  settled  with 
mathematical  precision,  and  he  was  ready  to  carry 

*  These  mimic  Siroccos  often  interrupted  the  progress  of  the  work 
men  in  the  trenches.  Their  eyes  were  nearly  blinded  with  the  sand, 
and  the  ditches  filled  up  as  fast  as  they  could  be  opened. 

t  Commodore  Perry  relieved  Commodore  Conner  in  the  command  of 
the  home  squadron  on  the  21st  of  March.  Several  vessels  of  war,  in 
addition  to  those  already  in  the  Gulf,  had  been  ordered  to  reinforce  the 
squadron,  and  arrived  before  and  during  the  siege.  Among  them  were 
the  Ohio,  74  guns  ;  Potomac,  44  guns ;  Saratoga,  Albany  and  German- 
town,  20  guns  each ;  and  the  Decatur,  I G  guns. 

13 


258  THE    BOMBARDMENT. 

them  into  effect  with  that  rapidity  of  execution  which 
has  ever  characterized  his  military  operations.  There 
were  engineer,  ordnance,  and  artillery  officers,  unex 
celled  in  the  world  for  skill  and  ability,  to  execute  his 
orders,  and  to  dictate  was  to  perform.  The  command 
of  the  trenches  was  assigned  to  Colonel  Bankhead, 
chief  of  artillery,  and,  at  a  few  minutes  past  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  22nd,  the  bombardment 
was  commenced  by  batteries  numbers  1,  2,  and  3,  un 
der  the  charge,  respectively,  of  Captain  Brooks  and 
Lieutenant  Shackelford,  2nd  artillery,  and  Major  Vin- 
ton,  3rd  artillery.  The  flotilla  of  small  steamers  and 
gun-boats,  led  by  Commander  Tatnall  in  the  Spit 
fire,  were  also  directed  to  take  a  position  between 
Sacrificios  and  the  main  land,  and  commence  a  simul 
taneous  fire  upon  the  town.  In  the  meantime  the  en 
emy's  guns  were  not  silent.  A  vigorous  cannonade 
was  opened  upon  the  trenches  and  the  flotilla,  from  the 
city  and  castle,  which  was  as  warmly,  and  far  more 
effectively  returned.  The  toppling  walls  and  blazing 
roofs  marked  where 

"  The  booming  shot  and  flaming  shelP 

had  fallen;  and  when  the  night  came  on,  it  was  illu 
minated  by  the  red  glare  which  flashed  up  unceasingly 
from  trench  and  battery.  Burning  meteors  d?rted 
hither  and  thither  athwart  the  sky,  and  when  they  dis 
appeared,  the  surrounding  darkness  was  thrown  into 
yet  deeper  gloom.  Late  in  the  evening  the  flotilla 
suspended  its  fire,  but  during  the  live-long  night  the 
missiles  hurled  from  the  American  lines  described  their 
fiery  circles  through  the  air,  and  sped  away  on  their 
errand  of  death,  into  that  doomed  city. 

In  the  morning  of  the  23rd  the  land  batteries  we/e 


EFFECT    OF    THE    FIRE.  259 

placed  in  charge  of  Captain  McKenzie,  2nd  artillery, 
and  Captains  Anderson  and  Taylor,  3rd  artillery. 
Three  additional  mortars  were  placed  in  battery,  and 
the  bombardment  was  kept  up  without  cessation  during 
the  day.  The  flotilla  again  opened  its  fire,  and  Com 
mander  Tatnall  ventured  still  nearer  to  the  town  and 
castle ;  but  about  nine  o'clock  all  the  vessels  were  re 
called  by  signal,  from  a  position  which,  as  General 
Scott  remarked  in  his  dispatch,  had  been  "  too  daringly 
assumed."  But  the  officers  and  men  of  the  navy  were 
determined  to  participate  in  the  conflict.  At  the  ear 
nest  request  of  Commodore  Perry,  General  Scott  as 
signed  a  position  in  the  trenches,  to  be  mounted  with 
guns  from  the  squadron,  and  worked  by  seamen.  A 
strong  battery,  number  5,  was  constructed  by  the  en 
gineers  in  the  rear  of  a  thick  mass  of  chaparral,  and 
three  eight-inch  Paixhan  guns,  and  three  long  thirty- 
two  pounders,  were  landed,  and  dragged  four  miles 
through  the  sand  by  the  sailors,  assisted  by  fatigue  par 
ties  from  the  brigades  of  Generals  Worth  and  Pillow. 
At  ten  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  24th  the  pieces 
were  in  position ;  the  chaparral  was  cut  away ;  and 
torrents  of  shot  and  shell  were  hurled  into  the  town, 
tearing  and  crushing  every  thing  in  their  range.* 

Within  the  city  the  effect  of  the  American  fire  was 
terrible  and  destructive  in  the  extreme.  The  earth 
shook  at  every  discharge.  Broad  sheets  of  flame  ap 
peared  to  leap  forth  from  the  batteries  of  the  assailants. 
Smoking  ruins,  crashing  roofs  and  buildings,  attested 
the  severity  of  the  bombardment.  The  firm  pave 
ments  were  thrown  up  in  masses,  and  deep  ridges 
ploughed  in  the  streets.  The  iron  gratings  of  the  bal- 

*  The  naval  battery  was  commanded,  in  succession,  by  Captain* 
Aulick,  Mayo,  and  Breese. 


260  MEMORIAL    OF    FOREIGN    CONSULS. 

conies  were  torn  from  their  fastenings,  and  casements 
and  lattices  shivered  in  pieces.  Stone  walls  and  bar 
ricades  afforded  no  shelter.  Wailing  and  lamentation 
were  heard  in  every  quarter  of  the  town.  Fathers 
were  stricken  down  upon  their  own  thresholds,  and 
mothers  smitten  at  the  fireside,  as  they  leaned  over  the 
helpless  offspring  who  clung  to  them,  in  vain,  for  pro 
tection.  Stout  manhood  and  decrepit  age,  the  weak 
and  the  strong,  fell  dead  together.  Late  on  the  night 
of  the  24th  the  consuls  of  Great  Britain,  France,  Spain, 
and  Prussia,  united  in  a  memorial  to  General  Scott, 
praying  him  to  grant  a  truce  to  enable  the  neutrals, 
and  the  Mexican  women  and  children,  to  escape  from 
the  scene  of  havoc  around  them.  All  this  suffering 
had  been  foreseen  by  the  American  commander ;  the 
inhabitants  had  been  forewarned  ;  and  the  blockade  had 
been  left  open  up  to  the  latest  hour,  to  allow  the  neu 
trals  to  withdraw.  The  opportunity  offered  had  not 
been  improved,  and  he  informed  the  memorialists,  in 
reply,  that  no  terms  could  now  be  listened  to,  unless 
they  were  to  be  accompanied  by  an  unconditional 
surrender. 

The  Americans  suspended  their  fire  but  for  brief 
periods.  The  guns  in  the  city  and  castle  were  also  in 
constant  activity,  though  they  did  little  execution.  A 
few  shot  entered  the  embrasures  of  the  batteries,  and 
threw  clouds  of  sand  into  the  trenches  and  over  the 
men  serving  the  pieces ;  but  the  casualties  were  very 
few  in  number.  On  the  morning  of  the  25th,  battery 
number  4  was  in  readiness,  with  four  twenty-four 
pounders  and  two  eight-inch  howitzers,  and  its  deep- 
toned  thunder  was  soon  added  to  the  din. 

During  the  siege,  parties  of  Mexican  rancheros 
and  light  troops  were  frequently  seen  lurking  in  the 


AFFAIR    AT    PUENTE    DEL    MIDOI3.  2G1 

rear  of  the  American  lines,  to  entrap  the  incautious 
and  unwary.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  24th,  Colonel 
P.  F.  Smith,  of  the  mounted  rifles,  was  sent  out  with  a 
detachment  of  about  two  hundred  men,  to  support  a 
reconnoitering  party  under  Lieutenant  Roberts,  who 
reported  that  a  body  of  the  enemy  were  on  the  heights 
near  the  Puente  del  Midois,  a  handsome  stone  struc 
ture  thrown  across  a  small  stream  of  fresh  water  run 
ning  into  the  river  Antigua.  On  approaching  the 
bridge  it  was  discovered  to  be  barricaded  with  abattis, 
and  that  intrenchments  had  been  thrown  up  on  the 
heights.  An  attack  was  instantly  ordered.  Lieuten 
ant  Roberts  displayed  in  the  chaparral  on  the  right 
with  his  company,  crossed  the  stream  below  the  bridge, 
and  having  reached  the  enemy's  left,  drove  them  with 
great  spirit  from  their  position.  Captain  Pope  sec 
onded  the  movement  with  two  companies  on  the  other 
flank,  and  the  whole  detachment  were  almost  imme 
diately  engaged  in  the  pursuit,  which  was  continued 
for  nearly  a  mile.  At  sunset  they  returned  to  the 
camp,  having  killed  and  wounded  a  large  number  of 
the  enemy,  with  the  loss  of  but  four  men  wounded. 

On  the  25th  instant,  Colonel  Harney  proceeded  with 
a  squadron  of  dragoons  commanded  by  Major  Sumner, 
and  fifty  dismounted  men  under  Captain  Ker,  towards 
the  Madellin  river,  in  consequence  of  a  report  that  a 
mounted  force  was  collected  in  that  direction.  On  ar 
riving  near  the  Puente  de  Marino,  he  found  it  to  be 
regularly  fortified,  and  guarded  by  near  two  thousand 
men,  with  two  pieces  of  artillery.  Small  parties  of 
lancers  were  also  seen  in  the  chaparral  which  skirted 
the  bridge.  When  the  detachment  came  within  sixty 
yards,  the  enemy  opened  a  heavy  fire,  and  killed  and 
wounded  several  of  the  command.  Colonel  Harney 


282  DRAGOON    FIGHT    AT    MADELLIN. 

now  fell  back,  and  sent  to  the  lines  for  two  pieces  of 
artillery.  In  a  short  time  he  was  joined  by  Lieutenant 
Judd  of  the  3rd  artillery,  with  two  guns,  one  company 
of  the  1st  Tennessee  regiment,  Captain  Cheatham, 
parts  of  four  companies  of  the  2nd  Tennessee,  Colonel 
Haskell,  and  about  forty  dismounted  dragoons  under 
Captain  Hardee.  General  Patterson  also  arrived  near 
the  scene  of  action,  but  declined  interfering  with  the 
dispositions  made  by  Colonel  Harney  for  the  attack. 
Captain  Ker,  with  the  dismounted  men,  was  placed  on 
the  left  of  the  road  leading  to  the  bridge;  the  volun 
teers  under  Colonel  Haskell,  on  the  right ;  and  the 
artillery  moved  along  the  road,  supported  by  Captain 
Hardee.  Major  Sumner  remained  with  his  command 
in  reserve.  In  a  few  seconds  they  were  warmly  en 
gaged  along  the  whole  line.  After  six  or  eight  rounds 
were  fired  from  the  guns,  the  heads  of  the  enemy  were 
no  longer  seen  above  the  parapet,  and  a  charge  was 
ordered.  Colonel  Haskell,  Captains  Cheatham  and 
Hardee,  rushed  forward  at  the  head  of  the  volunteers 
and  dragoons  with  fearless  intrepidity,  and  leaped  over 
the  fortification,  bayoneting  the  gunners  at  their  posts 
or  driving  them  from  the  bridge.  The  enemy  fell 
back,  but  re-formed  beyond  the  bridge.  This  was 
cleared  in  a  moment,  and  Major  Sumner  dashed  over 
it  with  his  dragoons.  The  Mexican  lancers  could  not 
stand  the  shock.  Their  weapons  were  broken  like 
reeds  by  the  American  sabres.  The  enemy  turned 
and  fled  in  all  directions,  leaving  more  than  fifty  killed 
and  wounded,  in  the  attack  and  pursuit.  The  Ameri 
can  loss  was  two  killed  and  twelve  wounded. 

The  fire  was  continued  during  the  25th  upon  the 
city  of  Yera  Cruz  from  the  five  batteries  in  operation. 
In  the  town,  that  night  was  full  of  horrors.  There 


CAPITULATION    OF    VERA    CRUZ.  263 

was  no  place  of  safely  to  be  found.  The  governor 
was  besought  and  entreated  to  spare  the  further  effu 
sion  of  blood  by  a  surrender.  Proud  and  punctilious 
to  the  end  he  refused  to  do  any  thing  that  would  dero 
gate  from  his  honor,  but  was  finally  persuaded  to  yield 
up  the  command  to  General  Landero,  by  whom  nego 
tiations  were  opened  with  General  Scott.  At  eight 
o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  26th  the  batteries  ceased 
playing,  and  articles  of  capitulation  were  signed  on  the 
following  day.*  The  surrender  of  the  city  took  place 
in  the  morning  of  the  29th,  when  the  Mexican  forces 
marched  out  to  a  plain  about  one  mile  outside  the 

*  "  Terms  of  capitulation  agreed  upon  by  the  commissioners,  viz : — 

"  Generals  W.  J.  Worth  and  G.  J.  Pillow,  and  Colonel  J.  G.  Totten, 
chief  engineer,  on  the  part  of  Major  General  Scott,  general-in-chief  of 
the  armies  of  the  United  States ;  and  Colonel  Jose  Gutierrez  de  Villa- 
nueva,  lieutenant  colonel  of  engineers,  Manuel  Robles,  and  Colonel 
Pedro  de  Herrera,  commissioners  appointed  by  General  of  Brigade,  Don 
Jose  Juan  Landero,  commanding  in  chief,  Vera  Cruz,  the  castle  of  San 
Juan  de  Ulua,  and  their  dependencies,  for  the  surrender  to  the  arms  of 
the  United  States  of  the  said  forts,  with  their  armaments,  munitions  of 
war,  garrisons,  and  arms. 

"  1.  The  whole  garrison,  or  garrisons  to  be  surrendered  to  the  arms 
of  the  United  States,  as  prisoners  of  war,  the  29th  instant,  at  10  o'clock, 
A.  M.  ;  the  garrisons  to  be  permitted  to  march  out  with  all  the  honors 
of  war,  and  to  lay  down  their  arms  to  such  officers  as  may  be  appointed 
by  the  general-in-chief  of  the  United  States  armies,  and  at  a  point  to 
be  agreed  upon  by  the  commissioners. 

"2.  Mexican  officers  shall  preserve  their  arms  and  private  effects,  in 
cluding  horses  and  horse  furniture,  and  to  be  allowed,  regular  and  irreg 
ular  officers,  as  also  the  rank  and  file,  five  days  to  retire  to  their  respec 
tive  homes,  on  parole,  as  hereinafter  prescribed. 

"  3.  Coincident  with  the  surrender,  as  stipulated  in  article  l,the  Mex 
ican  flags  of  the  various  forts  and  stations  shall  be  struck,  saluted  by 
their  own  batteries ;  and,  immediately  thereafter,  Forts  Santiago  and 
Conception,  and  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua,  occupied  by  the  force* 
of  the  United  States. 

"  4.  The  rank  and  file  of  the  regular  portion  of  the  prUonerc  to  be 


264  THE    AMERICAN    FLAG    HOISTED. 

town,  where  the  American  soldiers  were  drawn  up  to 
receive  them.  After  passing  between  the  lines  they 
laid  down  their  arms  and  colors,  and  departed  for  the 
interior.  General  Worth  was  appointed  military  gov 
ernor  of  the  town  and  castle,  and  immediately  entered 
the  city  with  a  portion  of  his  division.  Shortly  after 
a  grand  national  salute  was  fired  from  the  squadron,  as 
the  American  flag  rose  above  the  Plaza  of  Vera  Cruz, 
and  floated  in  triumph  over  the  ramparts  of  San  Juan 
de  Ulua,  the  Gibraltar  of  Mexico. 

The  reduction  of  the  city  and  castle  was  effected  by 
General  Scott,  with  what  may  be  regarded  as  a  trifling 
loss,  in  comparison  with  the  importance  of  the  achieve 
ment.  Including  the  losses  sustained  by  the  navy, 

disposed  of  after  surrender  and  parole,  as  their  general-in-chief  may 
desire,  and  the  irregular  to  be  permitted  to  return  to  their  homes.  The 
officers,  in  respect  to  all  arms  and  descriptions  offeree,  giving  the  usual 
parole,  that  the  said  rank  and  file,  as  well  as  themselves,  shall  not  serve 
again  until  duly  exchanged. 

"  5.  All  the  materiel  of  war,  and  all  public  property  of  every  descrip 
tion  found  in  the  city,  the  castle  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua  and  their  de 
pendencies,  to  belong  to  the  United  States ;  but  the  armament  of  the 
same  (not  injured  or  destroyed  in  the  further  prosecution  of  the  actuaj 
war)  may  be  considered  as  liable  to  be  restored  to  Mexico  by  a  definite 
treaty  of  peace. 

"  6.  The  sick  and  wounded  Mexicans  to  be  allowed  to  remain  in  the 
city  with  such  medical  officers  and  attendants,  and  officers  o  fthe  army, 
as  may  be  necessary  to  their  care  and  treatment. 

"  7.  Absolute  protection  is  solemnly  guaranteed  to  persons  in  the  city, 
and  property,  and  it  is  clearly  understood  that  no  private  building  or 
property  is  to  be  taken  or  used  by  the  forces  of  the  United  States,  with 
out  previous  arrangement  with  the  owners,  and  for  a  fair  equivalent. 

"  8.  Absolute  freedom  of  religious  worship  and  ceremonies  is  solemnly 
guaranteed." 

[On  account  of  the  roughness  of  the  sea,  all  communication  with  the 
navy  was  suspended  until  after  commissions  had  been  exchanged,  but 
Captain  Aulick  was  afterwards  appointed  a  commissioner  by  Commo 
dore  Perry,  and  was  present  at  the  signing  of  the  articles  of  capitula 
tion,  which  received  his  approbation.] 


CAPTURE    OF    ALVARADO.  205 

there  were  three  officers  killed  and  three  wouaded,  in 
the  debarkation,  investment  and  bombardment,  and  ten 
men  killed  and  sixty  wounded.*  Upon  occupying  the 
city  it  was  found  to  be  in  a  most  disgusting  state  of 
uncleanliness.  General  Worth  ordered  the  filth  to  bo 
removed,  and  took  prompt  measures  to  insure  good 
order,  and  guard  against  disease.  The  poorer  inhabi 
tants  of  Vera  Cruz  were  also  ascertained  to  be  in  a 
suffering  condition,  and  ten  thousand  rations  were  di 
rected  to  be  issued  for  their  relief;  thus  presenting  a 
singular  feature  in  warfare — the  victors  feeding  the 
vanquished,  with  the  stores  brought  hundreds  of  miles 
for  their  own  sustenance  and  support. 

On  the  30th  instant  a  detachment  of  troops  under 
General  Quitman  left  Vera  Cruz  to  co-operate  with  the 
squadron  under  Commodore  Perry,  in  a  joint  attack 
upon  Alvarado.  Lieutenant  Hunter  was  dispatched  in 
advance,  with  the  steamer  Scourge,  to  blockade  the  port. 
He  arrived  off  the  bar  in  the  afternoon  of  the  30th, 
and  at  once  opened  a  fire  upon  the  forts  at  the  mouth 
of  the  river,  which  were  garrisoned  by  four  hundred 
men.  During  the  night  he  stood  off,  but  renewed  the 
attack  in  the  morning,  when  the  enemy  evacuated 
their  defences.  Several  government  vessels  in  the 
harbor  were  burned,  and  the  guns  spiked  or  buried  in 
the  sand  before  they  retired.  Leaving  a  garrison  in 
the  fort,  Lieutenant  Hunter  proceeded  up  the  river 
and  succeeded  in  capturing  four  schooners.  Early  in 
the  morning  of  the  1st  of  April,  he  anchored  off  Thla- 
cotalpan,  a  city  containing  near  seven  thousand  in- 

*  Major  Vinton,  3rd  artillery,  Captain  Alburtis,  2nd  infantry,  and 
Midshipman  Shubrick,  of  the  navy,  were  the  officers  killed.  The  cas 
ualties  at  the  Puente  del  Midois  and  the  Madellin  river,  are  not  in 
cluded  in  the  statement  in  the  text. 


266  MARCH    INTO    THE    INTERIOR. 

habitants,  which  surrendered  to  him  without  offering 
any  resistance.  Commodore  Perry  arrived  on  the  2nd 
with  the  squadron,  but  the  towns  on  the  river  were  al 
ready  captured.* 

The  dreaded  vomito  would  soon  be  on  the  coast, 
and  General  Scott  could  not  linger  at  Vera  Cruz. 
Owing  to  unavoidable  delays  and  accidents,  but  .one 
fourth  of  the  necessary  road-train  had  arrived,  yet  he 
determined  to  escape  the  pestilence,  as  he  expressed  it, 
"  by  pursuing  the  enemy."  Lieutenant  Colonel  Belton 
was  left  with  a  detachment  in  command  of  Vera  Cruz 
and  the  castle.  On  the  8th  of  April,  General  Twiggs 
took  up  the  inarch  with  his  division,  and  was  followed 
in  a  few  days  by  the  remaining  columns  of  the  army. 
General  Scott  and  his  soldiers  were  now  upon  the 
high  road  to  the  Mexican  capital,  confidently  trusting 
— and  they  were  not  disappointed — to  find  it  strewn 
with  the  laurels  and  paved  with  the  trophies  of  vic 
tory.  After  a  period  of  more  than  three  hundred 

*  Lieutenant  Hunter  was  tried  by  a  court-martial,  and  sentenced  to 
be  dismissed  from  the  squadron  for  transcending  his  orders  in  the  attack 
on  Alvarado.  His  bravery  and  zeal,  ill-timed  though  they  were,  cannot 
be  questioned ;  but  the  consequences  of  a  disobedience  of  orders  were 
never  more  signally  illustrated.  It  was  thought  by  the  quarter-master's 
department,  and  that  not  without  reason,  that  about  two-thirds  of  the 
draught  animals  required  for  the  use  of  the  army  under  General  Scott 
could  be  procured  in  Mexico.  The  country  extending  from  Orizaba  to 
Huasiqualco,  which  was  covered  by  Alvarado  and  Thlacotalpan. 
abounded  in  horses,  mules,  and  cattle ;  which  it  was  the  object  of  the 
joint  expedition  under  Commodore  Perry  and  General  Quitman  to  se 
cure.  Lieutenant  Hunter  was  sent  in  advance  merely  to  blockade  the 
river.  Ignorant  of  the  intentions  of  his  superiors,  he  ventured  upon  an 
attack.  It  was  successful;  but  before  General  Quitman  arrived  in  the 
rear  of  the  enemy's  towns,  they  had  fled  into  the  interior  with  their 
horses  and  cattle,  and  the  very  resources  which  were  needed  for  the 
American  army,  were  seized  by  Santa  Anna  and  his  officers. — Annual 
Report  of  the  Quarter-Master  General,  Nov.  24,  1847. 


THE  MEXICAN  PORTS  OPENED.          267 

years,  they  found  themselves  upon  the  pathway  made 
famous  by  the  exploits  of  Hernando  Cortes  and  his 
followers.  Like  the  Spaniard,  perhaps,  they  came,  for 
the  time,  at  least,  to  conquer ;  but,  unlike  him,  they 
came  to  make  no  war  upon  inoffensive  inhabitants — • 
they  violated  no  altars — they  profaned  no  sanctuaries. 
They  came  not  to  establish  a  new  faith,  nor  yet  in 
quest  of  some  fabled  Pactolus,  "rich  with  golden 
sands ;"  but  they  came  as  the  representatives  of  their 
country,  to  defend  her  honor  and  maintain  her  rights. 

After  the  capture  of  Vera  Cruz,  and  the  other  prin 
cipal  ports  on  the  Mexican  Gulf,  they  were  opened  to 
our  own  commerce  and  that  of  neutral  vessels,  by  di 
rection  of  the  President  of  the  United  States ;  and  a 
tariff  of  duties  was  established  for  the  admission  01  all 
articles  not  contraband  of  war.  The  duties  were  col 
lected  by  officers  of  the  army  or  navy  appointed  for  that 
purpose,  and  applied  to  the  expenses  of  conducting 
the  war.  The  attention  of  General  Taylor  had  before 
that  time  been  called  to  the  subject  of  collecting  mili 
tary  contributions  of  the  enemy,  if  he  thought  it  expe 
dient.  When  his  wagon-trains  were  destroyed,  he 
required  an  indemnification  to  be  made,  although  no 
systematized  plan  of  enforcing  contributions  was 
adopted.  General  Scott  received  similar  instructions, 
when  on  his  way  to  the  city  of  Mexico ;  but  in  pur 
suance  of  the  discretion  vested  in  him,  he  decided  not 
to  exasperate  the  people,  or  drive  them  into  open  hos 
tility,  where  they  were  disposed  to  be  neutral,  by  the 
exercise  of  a  belligerent  right  which  might  seriously 
embarrass  his  operations. 


CHAPTER   IX. 

SCOTT    AT    CERRO    GORDO. 

Return  of  Santa  Anna  to  the  city  of  Mexico — Fortifications  at  Cerro 
Gordo — Arrival  of  the  American  Army  at  the  Rio  del  Plan — Storming 
the  Heights — The  Enemy  routed — Capture  of  Jalapa  and  Perote — 
The  Guerilleros — Proclamation  of  General  Scott — Entrance  of  the 
Americans  into  Puebla — Warlike  proceedings  of  the  Mexican  govern 
ment — Skirmishing  on  the  road  from  Vera  Cruz — The  Army  rein 
forced — March  towards  the  Mexican  Capital. 

WITH  sickness  and  famine  stalking,  like  giant  spec 
tres,  in  his  rear,  Santa  Anna  returned  to  San  Luis 
Potosi,  followed  by  the  remnant  of  the  proud  army  so 
signally  routed  and  repulsed,  by  an  inferior  force,  on 
the  field  of  Buena  Vista.  During  his  absence  the  city 
of  Mexico  had  been  the  scene  of  continued  tumult  and 
confusion,  and  he  now  hurried  to  the  capital,  with  a 
portion  of  his  soldiers,  to  put  an  end  to  these  disorders. 
The  election  of  Gomez  Farias  to  the  Vice  Presidency, 
as  has  been  mentioned,  was  extremely  unpopular.  He 
appears  to  have  been  zealous  and  patriotic  ;  but  these 
were  qualities  which  many  of  his  countrymen  could 
not,  or  did  not  appreciate.  He  attempted  to  enforce 
contributions  from  the  church,  for  the  support  of  the 
army  and  the  prosecution  of  the  war,  which  at  once 
called  down  upon  his  head  the  denunciations  of  the 
clergy.  The  embers  of  discord  were  soon  fanned  into 
a  flame ;  for  several  days  the  rival  factions,  unmindful 
of  the  prostrate  condition  of  their  country,  fought  like 
infuriated  madmen,  in  the  streets  of  Mexico  ;  and  the 


GENERAL  SANTA  ANNA. 


CIVIL    DISSENSIONS    IN    MEXICO.  269 

emeute  was  only  suppressed  upon  the  arrival  of  Santa 
Anna,  and  his  assumption  of  the  reins  of  power.* 

This  question  also  occasioned  considerable  alterca 
tion  and  debate  in  Congress.  Various  measures  were 
proposed,  some  of  them  of  a  most  violent  character, 
for  the  removal  of  Farias  ;  but  Santa  Anna  would  not 
allow  any  thing  to  be  done  except  in  a  constitutional 
manner.  Finally,  on  the  1st  of  April,  the  decree  by 
which  the  office  of  vice  president  had  been  created, 
was  suppressed ;  permission  was  given  to  the  Pro 
visional  President  to  take  command  of  the  forces  in 
the  field  ;  and  a  President  substitute  was  ordered  to  be 
chosen,  to  exercise  the  authority  of  chief  magistrate  in 
the  absence  of  Santa  Anna.  On  the  same  day  Gen 
eral  Anaya  was  elected  to  fill  the  office  ;  the  appoint 
ment  appeared  to  give  satisfaction  to  all  parties  ;  and 
on  the  2nd  instant  he  entered  upon  the  discharge  of 
his  duties  as  the  acting  executive. 

The  capture  of  Vera  Cruz  and  the  fall  of  San  Juan 
de  UJua,  awakened  the  Mexican  people  to  the  necessity 
of  foregoing  the  indulgence  of  their  constitutional  pre 
dilection  for  party  strifes  and  contentions,  if  they  would 
resist  the  march  of  the  American  soldiers  then  advan 
cing  upon  their  capital,  under  the  successful  chieftain 
who  led  them  on  to  battle  and  to  glory.  Governor 
Morales  and  General  Landero  received  the  reward 
usually  meted  out  by  Santa  Anna  to  his  unfortunate 
officers  :  for  their  failure  to  achieve  impossibilities  they 
were  arrested,  and  confined  in  the  castle  of  Perote. 
Earnest  appeals  were  made  by  Santa  Anna  and  Anaya 
to  their  fellow-citizens,  to  forget  their  feuds  and  ani 
mosities,  and  to  listen  only  to  the  suggestions  of  pa- 

*  Santa  Anna  did  not  assume  the  supreme  power  until  requested  to 
do  so  by  a  majority  of  the  members  of  the  Mexican  Congress, 


270  THE    TIERRA    CALIEXTE. 

triotism,  and  unite  in  making  preparations  to  meet  the 
invaders. 

A  more  warlike  spirit  was  soon  manifested.  The 
clergy  of  the  archbishopric  of  Mexico  bound  them 
selves  to  furnish  the  government  with  the  sum  of  one 
and  a  half  million  of  dollars,  payable  in  monthly  in 
stalments  ;  plans  for  fortifying  the  city  were  adopted  ; 
and  the  public  journals  devoted  their  columns  to  arti 
cles  designed  to  encourage  the  timid,  and  arouse  the 
faint-hearted.*  At  the  head  of  8,000  troops,  5,000  of 
whom  had  constituted  the  flower  of  the  army,  at  San 
Luis  Potosi,f  Santa  Anna  again  ventured  forth  to  try 
his  fortunes  on  another  field.  While  on  the  road  to 
check  the  advance  of  General  Scott,  he  was  joined  by 
a  large  body  of  national  guards  from  the  State  of 
Puebla  ;  at  Jalapa  he  was  reinforced  by  2,000  men  ; 
and  numbers  of  the  jarochada,  or  lower  class  of  peas 
antry  and  laborers,  of  the  State  of  Vera  Cruz,  were 
also  pressed  into  his  service.  With  these  additions  his 
army  numbered  little  short  of  15,000.  After  leaving 
Jalapa,  he  advanced  to  the  pass  of  Vaechi,  or  CERRO 
GORDO,  near  the  Rio  del  Plan,  which  had  been  the 
scene  of  one  of  his  most  brilliant  efforts  during  the 
revolution,  and  was  regarded  as  being  almost  impreg 
nable. 

About  sixty  miles  from  Vera  Cruz,  and  over  thirty 
from  Jalapa,  the  national  road  crosses  the  Rio  del 
Plan  and  the  wide  rocky  plain  on  its  northern  bank, 

*  "  In  the  front  of  an  enemy  conquering  and  menacing,  we  conjure  all 
Mexicans  who  love  the  honor,  and  even  the  existence  of  their  country, 
that  henceforth  they  have  but  one  party, — that  of  Independence  ;  and 
but  one  device, — that  of  Vengeance  and  War !" — Extract  from  an  arti 
cle  in  the  RqpMicano. 

f  These  were  the  infantry  regiments  and  regular  artillerists,  who 
highly  distinguished  themselves  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista. 


THE  PASS  OF  CERRO  GORDO.         271 

and  then  commences  the  ascent  to  the  elevated  plateau 
of  Mexico.  Here  terminates  the  low  level, — the  land 
of  the  vanilla  and  cacao,  of  the  banana,  the  orange  and 
the  sugar-cane, — glowing  with  the  rich  vegetation  of 
the  tropics,  and  its  shady  bowers  and  sequestered  re 
cesses  vocal  with  the  melodies  of  the  mocking  bird, 
and  the  thousand  other  songsters  whose  notes  are  trilled, 
softly  and  sweetly,  from  early  morn  till  eventide.  The 
traveller,  as  he  climbs  the  steep  sides  of  the  Cordilleras, 
pauses  on  each  terrace,  and  turns  upon  his  steps,  to 
gaze  upon  the  broad  expanse  spread  out  beneath  him, 
like  a  carpet  of  rare  embroidery  ; — the  tall  coronals  of 
the  aloe, — the  dahlia,  the  cactus,  and  the  convulvulus, 
—flowers  blushing  with  every  hue  of  the  rainbow, — 
unfold  their  beauties  at  his  feet ;  here  a  small  stream 
let,  and  there  an  ample  river,  shimmers  through  the 
leafy  interstices  of  the  luxuriant  woodland  ;  and  there 
are  groves,  too,  of  palms,  and  cocoas,  and  sycamores, 
matted  together  with  the  waving  festoons  of  unnum 
bered  parasites,  whose  brilliant  dyes  fairly  dazzle  the 
vision  of  the  beholder.  With  ravished  senses  he  pur 
sues  his  way  to  the  interior,  and  as  he  lifts  his  eyes 
to  the  snow-crowned  summit  of  Orizaba,  it  were  not 
strange  if  he  should  fancy  the  mountain  peak  some 
hoary  warder,  whose  locks  were  silvered  with  the  frosts 
of  age,  keeping  watch  over  the  enchanted  realm  be 
hind  him. 

After  crossing  the  stream,  the  road  continues  its 
course  to  the  north  until  it  reaches  the  foot  of  the  hills, 
when  it  turns  abruptly  to  the  east.  A  few  hundred 
yards  further  on  it  changes  its  direction  to  the  north 
west,  and  after  pursuing  a  circuitous  course  for  nearly 
two  miles,  now  ascending  some  difficult  acclivity  or 
thridding  some  narrow  dell,  and  now  surmounting  a 


272  FORTIFICATIONS    OF    THE    ENEMY. 

steep  ridge,  and  then  dipping  down  between  the  over 
hanging  banks  on  the  opposite  side,  it  inclines  again 
towards  the  river,  and  enters  the  Pass  of  Cerro  Gordo. 
As  it  approaches  the  defile  it  is  flanked,  on  the  left,  by 
three  hills,  nearly  parallel  to  each  other  and  to  the  road, 
jutting  out  in  the  shape  of  a  fan  from  the  same  terrace 
in  the  rear,  and  separated  by  deep  ravitfes,  from  one  to 
two  hundred  yards  in  width.  The  southernmost  ridge 
is  situated  just  above  the  deep  and  impassable  gorge 
through  which  the  river  flows.  These  hills,  which 
command  the  road,  and  the  defiles  leading  to  the  high 
ground  in  their  rear,  formed  the  right  and  front  of  the 
Mexican  position.  Intrenchments  were  thrown  up  on 
their  eastern  extremities,  and  seventeen  pieces  of  can 
non  distributed  among  the  different  works.  In  addition 
to  the  advanced  breastwork  on  the  crest  of  the  central 
bluff,  which  was  partially  masked  by  brush  and  a  stone 
wall,  there  was  a  redoubt  in  the  rear,  with  three  or  four 
guns,  and  still  further  to  the  rear  and  left,  on  a  retired 
line,  was  an  intrenched  battery  of  two  guns.  The  in 
tervals  and  slopes  on  the  east  of  this  line  of  intrench- 
ments  were  for  the  most  part  thickly  wooded,  or  cov 
ered  with  underbrush. 

Something  more  than  half  a  mile  higher  up,  on  the 
right  of  the  road,  and  at  a  point  where  it  approaches 
to  within  eighty  or  a  hundred  yards  of  the  river,  was 
a  strong  battery  of  six  large  brass  guns,  which  com 
pletely  enfiladed  the  defile.  Just  beyond  this,  and  a 
little  further  to  the  north,  rose  the  key  of  the  whole 
position,  the  main  height  of  Cerro  Gordo,  towering  far 
above  the  surrounding  hills,  and  commanding  the  ad 
vanced  batteries,  and  the  road,  "  on  a  single  declination, 
like  a  glacis,  for  nearly  a  mile."  Around  the  hill,  about 
sixty  yards  from  its  foot,  was  a  breastwork  of  stone  for 


APPROACH    OP    THE    AMERICANS. 


the  protection  of  infantry,  and  on  the  summit  there  was 
a  fortified  citadel,  or  tower,  called  the  Telegrafo,  also 
surrounded  by  a  strong  work,  with  six  guns  mounted 
on  carriages.  Immediately  in  front  of  Cerro  Gordo, 
were  several  smaller  hills  occupied  by  advanced  parties 
of  Mexican  infantry  and  lancers.  Nearly  one  half  of 
the  enemy  were  posted  within  the  intrenchments,  or  in 
their  vicinity,  and  the  main  body,  under  Santa  Anna  in 
person,  were  encamped  on  the  road,  about  half  a  mile 
west  of  the  tower,  with  a  battery  of  five  guns. 

General  Twiggs  arrived  at  the  Plan  del  Rio,  on  the 
llth  of  April,  with  his  division  of  regulars.  The  ad-  ^(^ 
vanced  guard  of  dragoons  under  Colonel  Harney,  drove 
a  body  of  Mexican  lancers  from  the  ground,  and  the 
division  encamped  for  the  night.  On  the  following 
day,  General  Twiggs  again  moved  forward,  to  cover  a 
reconnaissance  of  the  enemy's  works,  and,  if  practica 
ble,  to  make  an  effective  attack.  Deeming  it  unwise 
to  advance  further  at  that  time,  he  returned,  /to  his  old 
camp,  leaving  a  strong  picket  to  retain  the  ground 
passed  over,  with  the  intention  of  attacking  the  enemy 
at  daybreak  on  the  13th.  The  first  and  third  brigades 
of  General  Patterson's  volunteer  division,  commanded 
by  Generals  Pillow  and  Shields,  came  up  on  the  12th 
insteft^and  the  contemplated  attack  was  postponed  for 
one  day,  in  order  to  allow  the  volunteers,  who  were 
anxious  to  participate  in  the  engagement,  to  recover 
from  the  fatigue  of  the  march  over  the  long  and  deep 
sandy  road  from  Yera  Cruz  ;  and  on  the  night  of  the 
13th,  all  offensive  operations  were  further  suspended, 
by  direction  of  General  Patterson,  until  the  arrival  of 
the  General-in-chief,  who  was  daily  expected." 

When  General  Scott  reached  the  scene  of  the  anti 
cipated  conflict,  and  examined  the  position  occupied  by 


274  PREPARATION  FOR  ACTION. 

the  Mexican  forces,  he  decided  to  turn  their  left,  and 
attack  them  in  the  rear,  while  menacing  or  engaging 
them  in  front.  The  reconnaissance  previously  com 
menced  by  Lieutenant  Beauregard,  was  continued  by 
Captain  Lee,  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  for  the  purpose 
of  discovering  a  route  by  which  the  Jalapa  road  could 
be  gained,  and  the  retreat  of  the  enemy  intercepted. 
Under  the  supervision  of  the  engineer  officers  a  road 
was  constructed,  leaving  the  main  route  a  short  dis 
tance  below  where  it  commences  inclining  towards  the 
river,  and  extending  over  rocky  slopes  and  deep  chasms, 
through  thickets  of  chaparral,  and  beneath  frowning 
precipices,  to  the  left  of  Cerro  Gordo,  for  a  distance  of 
between  two  and  three  miles,  dnd  within  range  of  the 
Mexican  batteries.  When  the  working  parties  were 
discovered,  they  were  fired  upon  with  grape  and  mus 
ketry.  Further  reconnaissance,  therefore,  was  impos 
sible  without  an  action,  and  General  Scott  immediately 
made  his  dispositions  for  storming  the  whole  line  of  in- 
trenchments  and  batteries. 

General  Worth  joined  the  main  body  on  the  night 
of  the  16th  of  April,  with  the  first  division  of  regulars, 
and  on  the  same  evening  General  Twiggs  was  directed 
to  advance  with  his  division,  early  in  the  morning  of 
the  next  day,  on  the  line  of  operations  upon  the  right 
of  the  national  road.  On  the  17th  instant  General 
Scott  issued  his  celebrated  order  of  battle, — remark 
able  alike  for  the  prescience  which  seems  to  have  dic 
tated  it,  and  for  the  undoubting  confidence  manifested 
by  its  author  in  the  officers  and  men  whom  he  com 
manded.*  To  the  brave  and  intrepid  Twiggs,  whose 

*  "  The  enemy's  whole  line  of  intrenchments  and  batteries  will  be  at 
tacked  in  front,  and  at  the  same  time  turned,  early  in  the  day  to-mor 
row,— probably  before  ten  o'clock,  A.  M. 


!  A.  American  army 

B.  Batten',  (American.) 

C.  Cerro  Gordo  &.  Tower. 

D.  Twiggs'  march. 

<s,  a,  4-c.  Mexican  batteries. 
b,  b.  Pillow's  brigade. 
N.  R.  National  road. 
d.  Gen.  Shields'  brigade. 
G.  Hill  stormed  by  3d  Inf. 
F.  8  in.  howitzer.  (Axocr.) 


ORDER    OF    BATTLE.  275 

division,  cavalry  excepted,  were  then  well  advanced 
on  the  principal  line  of  attack,  was  assigned  the  task 
of  driving  the  enemy  from  the  hill  of  Cerro  Gordo,  and 
cutting  off  their  retreat  by  the  Jalapa  road ;  General 
Shields  was  directed  to  reinforce  General  Twiggs  with 
one  or  more  of  the  regiments  of  his  brigade,  as  circum 
stances  might  render  necessary  ;  and  General  Worth 

"The  second  (Twiggs')  division  of  regulars  is  already  advanced 
within  easy  turning  distance  towards  the  enemy's  left.  That  division 
has  instructions  to  move  forward  before  daylight  to-morrow,  and  take 
up  position  across  the  national  road  in  the  enemy's  rear,  so  as  to  cut  off 
a  retreat  towards  Jalapa.  It  may  be  reinforced  to-day,  if  unexpectedly 
attacked  in  force,  by  regiments, — one  or  two, — taken  from  Shields' 
brigade  of  volunteers.  If  not,  the  two  volunteer  regiments  will  march 
for  the  purpose  at  daylight  to-morrow  morning,  under  Brigadier  General 
Shields,  who  will  report  to  Brigadier  General  Twiggs,  on  getting  up  witk 
him,  or  to  the  General-in-chief,  if  he  be  in  the  advance. 

"  The  remaining  regiment  of  the  volunteer  brigade  will  receive  in- 
•tructions  in  the  course  of  the  day. 

"  The  first  division  of  regulars  (Worth's)  will  follow  the  movement 
against  the  enemy's  left  at  sunrise  to-morrow  morning. 

"  As  already  arranged,  Brigadier  General  Pillow's  brigade  will  march 
at  six  o'clock  to-morrow  morning  along  the  route  he  has  carefully  re- 
connoitered,  and  stand  ready,  as  soon  as  he  hears  the  report  of  arms  on 
our  right,  or  sooner,  if  circumstances  should  favor  him,  to  pierce  the  en- 
emy's  line  of  batteries  at  such  point, — the  nearer  to  the  river  the  better, 
as  he  may  select.  Once  in  the  rear  of  that  line,  he  will  turn  to  the  right 
or  left,  or  both,  and  attack  the  batteries  in  reverse,  or,  if  abandoned,  ho 
will  pursue  the  enemy  with  vigor  until  farther  orders. 

"  Wall's  field-battery  and  the  cavalry  will  be  held  in  reserve  on  the 
national  road,  a  little  out  of  view  and  range  of  the  enemy's  batteries. 
They  will  take  up  that  position  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

«'  The  enemy's  batteries  being  carried  or  abandoned,  all  our  divisions 
and  corps  will  pursue  with  vi<;or. 

"  This  pursuit  may  be  continued  many  miles,  until  stopped  by  dark 
ness,  or  fortified  positions,  towards  Jalapa.  Consequently,  the  body  of 
the  army  will  not  return  to  this  encampment ;  but  be  followed  to-mor 
row  afternoon,  or  early  the  next  morning,  by  the  baggage-trains  of  the 
teveral  corps/' — Extract  from  the  order  of  General  Scott,  dated  at  th« 
Plan  del  Rio,  April  17,  1847. 

14 


270  SKIRMISHING. 

was  ordered  to  follow  the  movement  on  the  eneuvy's 
left,  and  support  it,  with  his  division,  at  sunrise  on 
the  18th.  General  Pillow  had  reconnoitered,  in  person, 
the  works  on  the  right  of  the  Mexican  position,  and  he 
was  instructed  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  attack 
them  with  his  brigade,  cs  soon  as  he  heard  the  report 
of  arms  in  the  morning  of  the  18th  from  the  other  flank. 
Wall's  field  battery  and  the  cavalry  were  to  be  held  in 
reserve. 

The  division  of  General  Twiggs  arrived  at  its  posi 
tion  before  eleven  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  17th, — 
the  right  of  the  column  being  within  seven  hundred  yards 
of  the  hill  of  Cerro  Gordo.  The  first  brigade,  commanded 
by  Colonel  Harnev/on  this  occasion,  in -consequence  of 
the  illness  oT~General  P.  F.  Smith,  and  consisting  of 
the  rifle  regiment,  Major  Sumner  temporarily  in  com 
mand  ;  the  1st  artillery,  Colonel  Childs  ;  and  the  7th 
infantry,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Plympton,  were  ordered 
to  seize  and  maintain  all  the  heights  in  the  neighbor 
hood  of  the  enemy's  main  work.  Accordingly,  Lieu 
tenant  Gardner,  of  the  7th  infantry,  was  directed  with 
his  company  to  move  to  the  crest  of  a  hill  on  the  left, 
and  watch  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  While  ex 
ecuting  the  order,  he  became  engaged  with  a  strong 
skirmishing  party  sent  out  to  meet  him,  and  followed 
by  a  large  reserve,  in  all  numbering  about  two  thou 
sand.  He  gallantly  maintained  his  position  under  a 
heavy  fire,  and  held  them  at  bay,  until  he  was  succored 
by  the  rifles  and  the  1st  artillery,  who  hurried  to  hi.* 
assistance.  After  a  short  conflict  the  Mexicans  wrere 
driven  from  the  position,  and  closely  pursued.  .  They 
made  a  second  stand  on  a  hill  near  the  Cerro  Gordo, 
under  cover  of  their  guns,  which  rained  showers  of 
grape  and  canister  upon  the  assailants,  who  pressed  on 


GUNS  DRAWN  UP  THE  HEIGHTS.         277 

undaunted,  though  suffering  severely.  The  hill  was 
stormed  and  carried.  Three  times  the  enemy  charged 
to  recover  the  position,  and  three  times  were  they  re 
pulsed  with  loss.  The  American  soldiers  refused  to 
yield  a  single  inch  of  ground  which  they  had  gained. 
One  section  of  Major  Talcott's  mountain  howitzer  bat 
tery,  belong! ng-  Ux.alie_yjcdtigetrrs7  with  a  number  of 
rockets,  under  the  command  of  Lieutenant  Reno,  were 
ordered  up  the  height,  and  aided  them  in  maintaining 
it.  In  the  ardor  of  the  moment,  a  portion  of  the  troops, 
headed  by  Colonel  Childs,  rushed  down  the  opposite 
side  of  the  hill,  and  commenced  the  ascent  of  Cerro 
Gordo.  The  recall  was  sounded  again  and  again,  but 
they  had  approached  within  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
of  the  enemy's  batteries  before  they  discovered  that 
they  were  not  followed  bv  the  remainder  of  the  force. 
They  then  halted,  and  retired  down  the  height. 

The  1st  artillery  rejoined  General  Twiggs,  and  the 
rifles  and  the  7th  infantry  bivouacked  on  the  hill  for 
the  night.  Fires  were  built  underneath  the  cliffs  upon 
the  line  occupied  by  General  Twiggs'  division,  and  the 
work  of  transporting  the  heavy  artillery  to  the  cap 
tured  hill  was  soon  after  commenced.  This  duty 
was  performed  by  the  4th  artillery  and  the  volunteer 
brigade  of  General  Shields,  and  occupied  nearly  the 
entire  night.  With  the  aid  of  picket  ropes,  one  twenty- 
four  pounder  gun,  and  two  twenty-four  pounder  howit 
zers,  were  drawn  up  to  the  crest  of  the  height,  and 
placed  in  battery,  under  the  superintendence  of  Captain 
Lee.  On  the  same  night,  under  the  direction  of  Lieu 
tenant  Tower,  of  the  engineers,  and  Lieutenant  Laid- 
ley,  of  the  ordnance,  an  eight-inch  howitzer  was  put 
in  position  across  the  river,  and  opposite  to  the  enemy's 


278  ASSAULl. 

right  battery,  by  a  detachment  of  the  New  York  vol 
unteers,  commanded  by  Major  Burnham. 

Lighted  only  by  the  flickering  rays  of  their  watch- 
fires,  save  when  the  rising  moon  appeared  above  the 
norizon,  the  soldiers  detailed  to  perform  this  arduous 
task,  toiled  on  without  cessation  until  the  work  was 
completed.  They  complained  not  of  fatigue  or  ex 
haustion.  No  danger  appalled, — no  labor  wearied  them. 
Zealous  and  enthusiastic,  they  panted  for  the  coming 
struggle  ;  and  they  were  strengthened,  too,  by  the  con 
fidence  of  anticipated  success, — the  feeling  of  assur 
ance  that  their  efforts  would  not  be  in  vain. 

When  the  first  waves  of  the  morning  light  surged 
up  over  the  mountain  tops  from  the  distant  Gulf,  the 
whole  American  army,  from  the  right  to  the  extreme 
left,  were  in  motion.  The  storming  of  Cerro  Gordo 
was  the  first  object  to  be  achieved.  At  seven  o'clock 
on  the  18th,  the  heavy  guns  planted  on  the  hill  opened 
their  fire  upon  the  height  above  it,  and  were  served 
with  effect  by  Captain  Steptoe  and  Lieutenant  Brown, 
of  the  3rd  artillery,  Lieutenant  Hagner,  of  the  ord 
nance,  and  Lieutenant  Seymour,  of  the  1st  artillery. 
The  assaulting  party  consisted  of  the  first  brigade  of 
General  Twiggs'  division,  commanded  by  Colonel  Har- 
ney,  to  whom  the  execution  of  the  enterprise  was  in 
trusted,  reinforced  by  the  3rd  infantry,  Captain  Alex 
ander,  from  the  second  brigade,  and  a  company  of 
sappers  and  miners  under  Lieutenant  G.  W.  Smith,  of 
the  engineers.  Before  the  attack  upon  the  main  work 
of  the  enemy  was  ordered,  a  large  succoring  force 
were  discovered  advancing  on  the  national  road,  in  a 
direction  which  would  have  enabled  them  to  turn  the 
assaulting  column.  The  rifle  regiment,  now  com 
manded  by  Major  Loring,  Major  Sumner  having  been 


OPERATIONS    OF    GENERAL    TVVIGG3.    .  279 

wounded  on  the  previous  day,  were  immediately  or 
dered  to  the  left,  to  hold  the  approaching  force  in  check 
until  the  assault  commenced,  when  they  were  directed 
to  join  in  it  on  that  flank.  The  order  was  faithfully 
obeyed,  in  the  midst  of  a  withering  fire  upon  the  front 
and  flanks  of  the  regiment,  from  the  enemy's  batteries 
and  iritrenchments.  In  the  meantime  Colonel  Harney 
formed  the  remainder  of  his  troops  for  the  attack, — 
the  Tth  mfantry  on  the  right,  the  3rd  infantry  on  the 
left,  and  the  1st  artillery  in  the  rear,  with  orders  to 
support  the  infantry.  A  few  moments  passed  in  si 
lence,  and  then  the  charge  was  sounded. .  The  wel 
come  note  was  echoed  and  repeated  along  the  entire 
line.  As  one  man,  they  sprang  over  the  crest  of  the 
hill,  dashed  down  the-  declivity,  and  ascended  the  op 
posite  height. 

The  2nd  infantry,  Captain  Morris,  and  4th  artillery, 
Major  Gardner,  forming  the  remainder  of  the  second 
brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel  Riley,  moved  forward 
at  an  early  hour  in  the  direction  of  the  national  road, 
in  order  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  enemy,  under  the 
guidance  of  Captain  Lee,  who  was  supported  by  a  com 
pany  of  the  4th  artillery,  in  command  of  Lieutenant 
Benjamin.  Their  course  lay  directly  across  a  ravine 
swept  by  the  Mexican  batteries,  and  they  soon  became 
also  exposed  to  an  annoying  fire  of  musketry  from  the 
hill  of  Cerro  Gordo  on  their  left,  upon  the  western 
slopes  of  which  the  enemy  appeared  in  force.  A  de 
tachment,  consisting  of  two  companies  of  the  2nd  in 
fantry,  under  Captain  Penrose,  were  promptly  deployed 
as  skirmishers,  with  directions  to  drive  the  enemy  from 
the  hill  at  every  hazard.  Observing  that  Santa  Anna 
was  now  rapidly  extending  his  line  to  the  left,  to  keep 
open  his  communications  with  the  rear,  General  Twiggs 


280  STORMING  OF  CERRO  GORDO. 

ordered  General  Shields  to  cross  a  deep  ravine  on  the 
right,  and  advance  up  its  left  bank  with  his  brigade, 
against  the  Mexicans  in  the  road.  The  skirmishing 
party  sent  up  the  hill  in  rear  of  the  main  work,  were 
warmly  engaged  with  the  enemy  in  a  short  time,  and 
two  additional  companies  of  the  same  regiment  were 
detached  in  like  manner.  Captain  Lee  continued  his 
course  towards  the  national  road  with  his  escort,  but 
the  remaining  companies  of  the  4th  artillery,  accom 
panied  by  General  Twiggs,  followed  the  movement  up 
the  reverse  of  Cerro  Gordo,  preceded  by  the  skirmish 
ers,  who  gallantly  charged  upon  the  enemy,  and  drove 
them  from  their  positions.  Colonel  Riley  also  com 
menced  ascending  the  hill  with  the  remainder  of  the 
2nd  infantry. 

A  plunging  and  destructive  fire  of  round  shot,  grape, 
canister,  and  musketry,  was  poured  upon  the  party  of 
stormers  moving  to  the  assault  of  Cerro  Gordo  in  front. 
The  section  and  rockets  of  Talcott's  battery,  undei 
Lieutenant  Reno,  returned  the  fire  with  spirit  and  ef 
fect.  The  hill  was  steep  and  difficult  of  ascent.  Loose 
craggy  rocks,  and  tangled  chaparral,  impeded  the  prog- 
ress  of  the  assaulting  column.  The  tops  of  the  smaller 
trees  had  also  been  cut  off  by  the  enemy,  from  four  tc 
five  feet  above  the  ground,  and  pointed  down  the  hill. 
as  an  obstacle  to  the  advance  of  an  assailing  force.  A 
brief  delay  took  place  at  the  breastwork  near  the  foot  of 
the  height,  but  the  bayonet  did  its  work  trely  and -well. 
The  barrier  was  surmounted,  arid  the  stormers  pushed 
on  with  redoubled  zeal.  The  steepness  of  the  accliv 
ity  rendered  the  fire  of  the  enemy  less  sure  and  certain 
than  it  might  otherwise  have  been  ;  but  it  was  suffi 
ciently  severe  to  make  the  stoutest  hearted  stand  in 
awe,  had  they  not  been  impelled  and  sustained  by  a 


CAPTURE    OF    THE    TOWER.  281 

courage  that  could  not  falter.  Animated  by  the  words 
and  heroic  bearing  of  the  undaunted  Harncy,  whose 
tall  and  manly  form  was  conspicuous  to  friend  and 
foe,  as  he  cheered  his  men  on  to  the  conflict,  the  Amer 
icans  pressed  forward  with  accelerated  speed.  The 
fate  of  the  day  never  for  a  moment  remained  in  sus 
pense.  Within  musket  range  of  the  breastwork  around 
the  tower,  they  halted  to  deliver  their  unerring  fire. 
Again  the  charge  was  ordered.  -Wreaths  of  mingled 
smoke  and  fiam«  encirefechthe  combatants.  Anxious 
eyes  were  turned  m  that  direction- -from  every  quarter. 
The  colors  of  the  1st  artillery,  and  of  the  3rd  and  7th 
infantry,  were  planted  upon  the  breastwork,  but  the 
Mexican  standard  was  still  flying.  A  few  rapid  vol 
leys  were  fired — then  the  crushing  steel  bore,  down 
every  thing  b&inra  it — and  the  flag  which  had  waved 
over  so  many  beating  hearts  in  the  hour  of  victory, 
floated  alone  upon  the  height  of  Cerro  Gordo! 

Portions  of  the  rifle  regiment  joined  the  storming 
column,  and  the  foremost  companies  of  the  2nd  infan 
try,  who  had  ascended  the  opposite  side  of  the  hill,  also 
reached  its  summit,  in  time  to  participate  in  the  final 
assault.  General  Vasquez,  the  officer  in  command,  was 
killed  in  the  tower  which  he  had  so  bravely  defended. 
The  hill  was  thickly  covered  with  the  dead  and  wounded 
of  the  enemy ;  a  number  were  taken  prisoners  ;  and 
the  remainder  retreated  in  haste  on  the  Jalapa  road. 
The  guns  captured  in  the  fort  were  turned  upon  its  late 
occupants,  and  effectively  served  by  Captain  Magru- 
der,  of  the  1st  artillery,  and  Lieutenant  Richardson,  of 
the  3rd  infantry,  while  General  Twiggs  pushed  forward 
in  the  pursuit  with  the  4th  artillery  and  2nd  infantry. 
The  second  division,  under  General  Worth,  reached 
the  position  occupied  by  General  Twiggs  on  the  right 


282  ATTACK    ON    THE    ENEMY^S    RIGHT. 

/  /of  the  17th,  before  the  height  was  carried,  and  Lieu- 

,  /  tenant  Colonel  C.  *5\  Smith  was  instantly  detached, 

,'  with  his  light  battalion,  to  support  the  assault,  but  did 

Nnot  arrive  in  time.     General  Worth  soon  after  reached 

the  tower,  and  observing  a  white  flag  displayed  from 

the  battery  on  the  national  road,  just  beneath  the  hill 

of  Cerro  Gordo,  sent  out  Colonels  Harney  and  Childs 

to  hold  a  parley.     The  work  proved  to  be  in  command 

of  General  Pinson,  a  mulatto  officer  of  considerable  dis- 

\tinction,  and  was  surrendered  in  compliance  with  the 

summons  of  General  Worth. 

The  first  brigade  of  volunteers,  commanded  by  Gen 
eral  Pillow,  was  under  arms  at  sunrise,  but  did  not 
reach  the  position  assigned  to  it  in  front  of  the  enemy's 
works  on  the  right,  until  after  General  Twiggs  had 
opened  the  action  on  the  other  flank.  General  Pillow 
immediately  divided  his  command  into  two  storming 
parties,  each  supported  by  a  strong  reserve.  It  was 
his  intention  to  assail  the  adjacent  angles  of  the  two 
batteries  nearest  the  river,  simultaneously ;  but  his  po 
sition  being  discovered  by  the  enemy,  a  galling  fire  was 
opened  on  his  ranks,  and  rather  than  dishearten  the 
troops  by  a  retreat,  Colonel  Haskell,  who  commanded 
the  assaulting  force  intended  for  the  attack  of  the  cen 
tral  battery,  consisting  of  his  regiment,  (the  2nd  Ten 
nessee  foot,)  a  company  of  Kentucky 'volunteers  under 
Captain  Williams,  and  one  company  of  the  2nd  Penn 
sylvania,  Captain  Naylor,  was  directed  to  assault  the 
Vvork,  and  carry  it  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet.  An 
enfilading  fire  upon  the  Mexican  batteries  was  obtained 
from  the  eight-inch  howitzer,  in  command  of  Lieuten 
ant  Ripley,  of  the  2nd  artillery,  on  the  right  bank  of 
the  river,  and  it  was  kept  actively  engaged.  Colonel 
Wynkoop,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  in  command  of  the 


THE    VOLUNTEERS    UNDER    SHIELDS.  283 

storming  party  designed  to  attack  the  battery  on  the 
extreme  right,  moved  towards  the  position  where  he 
was  ordered  to  make  the  assault.  The  1st  Tennessee, 
Colonel  Campbell,  was  directed  to  support  the  column 
under  Colonel  Wynkoop,  and  the  2nd  Pennsylvania, 
Colonel  Roberts,  the  party  commanded  by  Colonel 
Haskell. 

As  the  column  headed  by  Colonel  Haskell  advanced 
to  the  attack,  they  encountered  a  resistance  which  they 
had  not  anticipated.  The  fire  of  seven  pieces  of  heavy 
artillery  was  turned  upon  them,  and  effected  terrible 
execution.  They  pressed  on  undismayed,  through 
dense  thickets  of  underbrush,  until  they  came  within 
range  of  the  enemy's  musketry.  With  an  energy  and 
steadiness  worthy  of  experienced  soldiers,  they  still 
continued  on  their  course,  regardless  of  the  havoc 
made  among  their  number.  At  length  the  fire  became 
too  terrible,  and  the  party  were  compelled  to  retire. 
General  Pillow  being  severely  wounded,  Colonel  Camp 
bell  assumed  the  command  of  the  brigade,  and  com 
menced  making  his  dispositions  for  a  second  attack. 
Colonel  Wynkoop,  in  the  meantime,  had  arrived  in 
front  of  the  battery  on  the  batik  of  the  river,  when  all 
further  operations  were  suspended  by  the  capture  of 
the  hill  of  Cerro  Gordo.  The  advanced  works  of  the 
enemy  were  now  exposed  to  a  fire  from  the  rear  which 
would  soon  have  demolished  them ;  a  white  flag  was 
therefore  displayed  over  the  intrenchments,  and  this 
portion  of  the  enemy,  now  cut  off  from  the  main  body, 
surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war. 

Upon  the  extreme  right  the  brigade  under  General 
Shields,  consisting  of  the  3rd  and  4th  Illinois,  Colonels 
Foreman  and  Baker,  and  the  New  York  regiment,  Col 
onel  Burnett,  were  more  successful.  Crossing  a  ravine 


284  THE    ENEMY    ROUTED. 

which  the  Mexicans  deemed  impassable,  and  which,  up 
to  that  time,  had  never  been  crossed,*  "  under  a  canopy 
of  cannon-balls,"  they  gained  its  left  bank,  and  advan 
ced  against  the  rear  battery,  with  a  celerity  which 
filled  the  enemy  with  astonishment.     Santa  Anna  had 
evidently  given  up  the  contest  in  front,  and  was  hurry 
ing  with  the  greater  part  of  his  forces  to  the  rear.    Gen 
eral  Shields  was  upon  them  in  a  moment.     While  form 
ing  his  men  for  the  attack,  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
enemy's  guns,  a  grape  shot  passed  through  his  lungs, 
and  he  fell  to  the  earth  completely  paralyzed. — Happily 
for  the  general  himself,  and  for  the  service,  the  wound 
did  not  prove  to  be  mortal. — Colonel  Baker  assumed 
the  command — Major  Harris  taking  charge  of  the  4th 
Illinois — and  the  column  was  again  ordered  to  advance. 
General  Shields  at  this  time  was  supposed  to  have  been 
mortally  wounded,  and  the  brave  volunteers  were  de 
termined  to  avenge  his  loss.     They  charged  upon  the 
enemy's  line  with  spirit  and  enthusiasm,  and  drove  them 
from  their  loaded  guns.     Captain  Lee,  with  the  com 
pany  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Benjamin,  followed 
by  Colonel  Riley  at  the  head  of  the  second  brigade, 
approached  on  the  other  flank,  and  completed  the  cap 
ture  of  the  battery.     At  this  point  the  rout  was  com 
plete.     Santa  Anna,  and  General  Ampudia,  the  second 
in  command,  together  with  Generals  Canalizo  and  Al 
monte,  had  barely  time  to  make  their  escape.     The 
private  carriage  of  the  Mexican  President,  his  baggage,f 

*  Vindication  of  Santa  Anna,  by  Manuel  Maria  Jimen,  published  in 
El  Diario  del  Gobierno,  May,  1847. 

f  At  the  siege  and  capture  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua,  by  the  French,  the 
Mexican  commander  lost  one  of  his  limbs  ;  and  among  the  trophies  cap 
tured  by  the  volunteers,  in  his  carriage,  was  his  wooden  leg,  which  af 
forded  them  and  their  comrades  no  little  merriment.  The  personal 
property  was,  of  course,  returned ;  but  it  is  extremely  doubtful  whether 
this  appendage  ever  found  its  way  back  to  his  excellency. 


THE    PURSUIT.  285 

and  the  military  chest  of  the  army,  were  captured  by 
the  volunteers,  who  now  hurried  forward  with  Riley's 
brigade,  all  under  the  command  of  General  Twiggs,  in 
pursuit  of  the  flying  enemy.  The  cavalry,  and  the 
field-batteries  of  Taylor  and  Wall,  were  also  pushed  on 
towards  Jalapa,  as  soon  as  the  road  was  opened,  and 
General  Patterson  was  sent  to  take  command  of  the 
advanced  columns. 

General  Scott  had  not  been  an  inattentive  observer 
of  the  events  of  the  day,  and  the  result  was  peculiarly 
gratifying  to  his  feelings.  He  arrived  on  the  height 
of  Cerro  Gordo  shortly  after  General  Worth,  and  pub 
licly  thanked  Colonel  Harney  and  his  command  for  the 
courage  and  skill  displayed  in  their  gallant  achievement. 
Before  the  sun  had  reached  its  meridian,  the  defile  was 
passed,  and  the  way  opened  to  the  table  land  of  Mexico. 
The  network  of  obstacles  which  Santa  Anna  had  raised 
to  impede  the  advance  of  the  American  army,  proved 
to  be  frail  as  the  meshes  of  the  spider's  web.*  The 
battle  was  won,  too,  by  a  force  barely  exceeding-  8,000 
men,  and  under  circumstances  which  justly  entitle  it 
to  a  prominent  place  among  the  other  actions  of  the 
war.f 

The  pursuit  was  continued  until  late  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  18th,  and  many  of  the  enemy  were  captured  or 
cut  down,  before  the  American  soldiers  were  obliged 
to  halt,  having  become  nearly  exhausted  from  the  heat 
and  the  distance.  Captain  Taylor  brought  up  his  bat- 

*  In  his  proclamation  to  his  countrymen  announcing  the  fall  of  Vera 
Cruz,  Santa  Anna  said :  "  If  the  enemy  advance  one  step  more,  the 
national  independence  will  be  buried  in  the  abyss  of  the  past."  Allud 
ing  to  this  in  a  postcript  to  his  official  dispatch,  General  Scott  pithily 
remarked,  "  We  have  taken  that  step." 

f  General  Quitman  did  not  arrive  with  the  second  brigade  of  volun 
teers  in  time  to  take  part  in  the  action, 


'\j\j 

:he      "1 


286  TROPII1CS    OF    VICTORY. 

tery,  and  opened  his  fire  upon  their  rear  columns  as 
they  ascended  the  hill  of  Encerro,  when  the  troops  in 
the  advance  were  halted,  and  encamped  within  sight 
of  the  white  towers  of  Jalapa.  On  the  morning  of  the 
19th,  General  Patterson  entered  the  city,  escorted  by 
the  dragoons,  and  followed  by  General  Twiggs,  with 
the  infantry  and  artillery,  in  company  with  a  deputa 
tion  from  its  authorities,  who  came  out  to  implore  pro 
tection  for  their  fellow-citizens. 

Upwards  of  3,000  prisoners,  more  than  4,000  stands 
of  arms,  43  pieces  of  artillery,  mnny  of  them  manu 
factured  in  the  royal  foundry  at  Seville,  and  a  large 
quantity  of  fixed  ammunition,  were  captured  in  the  battle 
of  Cerro  Gordo.  The  Americans  lost  431  officers  and 
men,  in  killed  and  wounded  ;*  and  the  Mexican  loss 
was  computed  to  be  from  1,000  to  1,200.  Among  the 
prisoners  taken  were  Generals  Pinson,  Jarrero,  La 
Vega,  Noriega,  and  Obamio.  General  Scott  found 
himself  so  much  embarrassed  with  the  spoils  of  the 
victory,  in  consequence  of  the  feebleness  of  his  own 
army  in  point  of  numbers,  that  he  was  compelled  to 
release  the  prisoners  upon  their  paroles;  and  the  small 
s  and  accoutrements  were  collected  together,  and 
broken  in  pieces,  or  burned. 

General  Worth  continued  the  pursuit  beyond  Jalapa 
with  his  division.  The  pass  of  La  Iloya,  a  strong  po 
sition  west  of  that  city,  which  had  been  fortified,  and 
defended  by  a  battery  of  heavy  guns,  was  found  en 
tirely  deserted.  At  noon  on  the  22nd  of  April,  he  en- 

*  Seven  officers  were  killed  or  mortally  wounded  in  the  battle,  viz: 
Lieutenants  Ewell  and  Davis  of  the  rifles;  Lieutenant  Yearwood.  1st 
Tennessee ;  Lieutenants  Nelson  and  Gill,  2nd  Tennessee  ;  and  Lieuten 
ants  Cowardin  and  Murphy,  4th  Illinois.  Captain  Mason,  of  the  rifle 
regiment,  also  died,  some  months  later,  from  the  effects  of  a  wound  re 
ceived  at  Cerro  Gordo. 


DISCHARGE    OF    VOLUNTEERS.  287 

tered  the  town,  and  occupied  the  castle  of  Perote,  next 
in  importance  to  San  Juan  de  Ulua,  and  capable  of 
acco'mmodating  over  2,000  troops.  No  resistance  was 
offered, — the  enemy's  forces  having  been  previously 
withdrawn, — and  the  fortress,  with  its  armament,  was 
surrendered  by  Colonel  Velasquez,  who  had  remained 
as  a  commissioner  to  perform  that  duty  on  behalf  of  his 
government.  Sixty-one  bronze  guns  and  mortars,  five 
howitzers,  eleven  thousand  cannon  balls,  fourteen  thou 
sand  bombs  and  hand-grenades,  and  five  hundred  mus 
kets,  were  turned  over  to  the  Americans  with  the  castle. 
General  Worth  also  obtained  considerab  e  quantities 
of  corn  and  flour  in  Perote  and  the  neighboring  haci 
endas,  all  which  were  paid  for  at  fair  prices,  with  the 
assistance  of  the  alcaldes  and  padres,  who  manifested  a 
laudable  zeal  in  aiding  him. 

The  excellent  discipline  and  subordination  maintained 
by  General  Scott  in  the  army  under  his  command,  de 
serves  a  passing  notice.  Strict  orders  were  issued  di 
rectly  after  they  landed  at  Vera  Cruz,  prohibiting  the 
commission  of  any  acts  of  violence  upon  the  persons 
or  property  of  non-combatants.  No  deviation  from 
the  regulations  which  he  established  was  suffered  to  go 
unrebuked, — no  outrage  went  unpunished.  During  the 
period  of  temporary  inaction  after  the  battle  of  Cerro 
Gordo,  excesses  were  occasionally  committed,  which 
induced  him  to  issue  more  positive  orders  at  Jalapa,  on 
the  30th  of  April,  and  from  that  time  there  were  fewer 
causes  of  complaint. 

A  large  number  of  the  volunteers  attached  to  his 
column  were  enlisted  in  the  months  of  May  and  June, 
1846  :  consequently,  their  terms  of  service  had  nearly 
expired  when  the  army  arrived  at  Jalapa.  They  were 
exceedingly  anxious  to  reach  the  coast,  and  embark 


288  MEXICAN    ARMY    DISORGANIZED. 

for  home,  before  the  sickly  season  came  on,  and  the 
commanding  general  very  properly  acceded  to  their 
request,  in  the  belief  that  the  new  levies  raised  under 
the  ten  regiment  bill  would  soon  reach  his  camp.  On 
the  4th  of  May  seven  regiments,  and  two  independent 
companies,  in  all  numbering  more  than  3,000  men, 
were  ordered  to  be  discharged.*  The  design  of  ad 
vancing  promptly  into  the  heart  of  the  country,  how 
ever,  was  by  no  means  abandoned.  The  elements  of 
the  strength  and  weakness  of  the  Mexican  government 
were  concentrated  in  her  capital,  and  it  was  of  the 
highest  importance  that  the  army  should  move  as  far 
in  that  direction  as  was  compatible  with  its  safety  and 
security.  Reinforcements  were  expected  in  a  few 
weeks,  and  early  in  the  month  General  Worth  was  or 
dered  to  proceed  to  Puebla,  seventy-eight  miles  be 
yond  Perote,  and  about  ninety  miles  from  Mexico,  with 
his  division,  followed  by  the  brigade  under  General 
Quitman. 

The  Mexican  army  which  General  Scott  had  en 
countered  on  the  heights  of  Cerro  Gordo,  was  almost 
totally  dispersed.  Santa  Anna  escaped  to  the  vicinity 
of  Puebla,  with  a  few  followers,  and  Ampudia,  at  the 
head  of  3,000  cavalry,  in  a  most  disastrous  plight, 
passed  through  Perote,  on  his  way  to  the  interior.  The 
nfantry  were  utterly  disorganized,  and  fled  before  their 
pursuers  in  small  bodies, — some  throwing  away  their 
arms,  and  others  selling  them  in  the  towns  through 
which  they  passed,  for  two  or  three  reals.  Finding 
that  the  American  army  did  not  advance  immediately 

*  A  portion  of  the  volunteer  regiments  called  out  in  the  fall  of  1848, 
and  winter  of  1847,  were  enlisted  to  serve  twelve  months,  or  during  the 
continuance  of  the  war.  This  will  account  for  their  remaining  in  ser 
vice  after  the  expiration  of  the  year,  as,  it  will  be  seen,  was  the  case. 


THE    GUERILLER03.  289 

beyond  Perote,  the  Mexican  general-in-chief  employed 
himself  for  several  days,  towards  the  latter  part  of 
April  and  the  beginning  of  May,  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Orizaba,  in  collecting  and  organizing  a  new  force, 
whose  assistance  had  been  invoked  by  his  countrymen. 
As  early  as  the  8th  of  April,  it  was  proposed  to  adopt 
the  guerilla  system,  at  a  meeting  of  the  principal  citi 
zens  of  Mexico,  and  orders  were  issued,  and  measures 
taken  by  the  government  to  carry  the  suggestion  into 
effect.  Among  the  most  efficient  of  their  agents  and 
coadjutors  was  a  padre,  by  the  name  of  Jarauta,  orig 
inally  an  Aragonese  curate,  who  had  been  compelled 
to  fly  from  Spain,  on  account  of  his  participation  in 
the  cruelties  and  barbarities  perpetrated  by  the  gueriZ- 
leros  who  fought  under  Cabrera.* 

There  is  something  noble  in  the  aspect  presented  by 
a  people  flying  to  their  arms,  unitedly  and  sponta 
neously,  in  defence  of  their  altars  and  their  hearth 
stones, — to  save  themselves  from  wrong  and  injury, 
and  their  wives  and  daughters  from  outrage  and  vi 
olence.  The  movements  of  an  excited  populace  are 
irresistible  as  the  rush  of  the  mountain  torrent.  Of 
what  avail  were  an  armed  soldiery  of  30,000  men, 
when  the  citizens  of  Paris  had  determined  that  the 
Bastile  should  be  razed  to  the  ground  ?  The  moors 
and  glens  of  Scotland,  the  wild  fastnesses  of  the  Em 
erald  Isle,  and  the  dense  savannas  of  Georgia  and  the 
Carolinas,  tell  us  what  may  be  done  by  men,  who,  seiz 
ing  the  sword,  and  casting  away  the  scabbard,  resist 

*  Father  Jarauta  was  engaged  in  his  peaceful  avocations  as  a  curate, 
when  the  war  with  the  United  States  first  commenced;  but  he  appears 
very  soon  to  have  preferred 

"  The  holy  text  of  pike  and  gun," 
to  the  ministrations  of  his  priestly  calling. 


290  COMPOSITION    OF    THE    BANDS. 

oppression  even  unto  death.  For  a  long  series  of  years 
La  Vendee  bade  defiance  to  the  armies  of  tho  French 
republic.  The  Swiss  peasant,  as  he  quaffs  the  choice 
vintage  of  his  native  land,*  never  fails  to  bless  the 
brave  men  who  rescued  her  from  the  grasp  of  the  Aus 
trian  despot,  and  the  brave  descendants  who  maintained 
the  freedom  so  nobly  won,  against  the  efforts  of  France 
and  Burgundy.  The  guerilla  mode  of  warfare  adopted 
by  Mina,  Ernpecinado,  and  their  compatriots,  had  its 
origin  in  the  same  impulses,  and  their  deeds  of  cruelty 
and  vengeance, — sometimes  just,  yet  always  fearful, — 
are  well  remembered  in  the  Spanish  Peninsula.  But 
the  Mexican  guerilleros  were  influenced  by  no  such 
feelings, — by  no  such  emotions.  The  principle  which 
animated  them  was  love  of  plunder,  rather  than  love 
of  country, — and  the  standard  under  which  they  ral 
lied,  was  the  emblem  of  the  band  it, f — not  the  flag  of 
the  patriot ! 

The  line  of  the  national  road  has  always  been  in 
fested  with  banditti,  and  the  guerilla  bands  organized 
to  annoy  the  American  army,  were  principally  com 
posed  of  that  class  of  the  population,  their  associates 
and  companions,  and  a  few  deserters  from  the  Spanish 
vessels  of  war  lying  in  the  Gulf.  With  very  rare  ex 
ceptions — and  those  mainly  confined  to  the  civil  and 
military  officers  of  the  government, — the  better  classes 

*  At  the  battle  of  St.  Jacob,  fought  August  20th,  1444,  sixteen  hun 
dred  Swiss  withstood  as  many  thousand  French,  led  by  the  Dauphin, 
and  maintained  their  ground  until  all  but  ten  of  their  number  were  cut 
down.  The  wine  produced  on  the  field  is  called  Schweitzer  Blid. 

f  The  flag  of  the  guerilleros  was  about  two  feet  long,  and  from  twelve 
to  fifteen  inches  wide.  The  centre  was  composed  of  a  broad  stripe  of 
crimson,  with  the  motto,  N>>  Quarter,  wrought  upon  it  with  silk;  on 
either  side  there  was  a  black  stripe,  of  about  half  the  width,  ornamented 
with  a  death's  head  and  cross-bones.  The  border  was  of  pale  green, 
with  crimson  tassels  at  the  points. 


PROCLAMATION    OP    GENERAL    SCOTT.  291 

stood  entirely  aloof  from  the  guerilleros,  who  soon  com 
menced  an  indiscriminate  plunder  of  friends  and  ene 
mies,  and  refused  to  give  them  their  countenance  and 
support.  The  announcement  that  this  system  of  fight 
ing  was  about  to  be  adopted,  would  have  excited  serious 
apprehensions  in  the  minds  of  any  other  soldiers  in  the 
world  ;  but  a  large  proportion  of  the  American  troops 
were  familiar  with  the  legendary  tales  of  border  war 
fare  in  their  own  country,  and  many  had  been  accus 
tomed,  from  childhood,  to  the  dangers  and  incidents  of 
a  life  upon  the  frontiers,  in  the  midst  of  hostile  Indians. 
It  was  impossible,  indeed,  at  all  times  to  guard  against 
surprise, — yet  they  knew  how  to  retaliate.  On  the 
llth  of  May,  General  Scott  issued  an  eloquent  procla 
mation,  addressed  to  the  Mexican  people,  forcibly  de 
picting  their  deplorable  condition  as  a  nation,  and  ad 
vising  them  to  terminate  their  dissensions  and  feuds, 
and  to  cultivate  harmony  among  themselves,  and  friend 
ship  and  amity  with  other  nations.  He  assured  them 
that  the  war  would  be  prosecuted  until  an  honorable 
peace  was  obtained,  and  admonished  them  to  be  cau 
tious  how  they  put  in  force  the  order  to  form  guerilla 
parties,  and  to  beware  how  they  provoked  him  to  re 
taliation.  The  guerilleros  were  far  from  being  intimi 
dated  by  the  language  of  the  proclamation,  but  it  induced 
many  to  withhold  their  sympathy,  whose  assistance 
had  been  counted  on  with  confidence.* 

*  "  The  hardest  heart  would  be  moved  to  grief  in  contemplating  the 
battle-fields  of  Mexico  a  moment  after  the  last  struggle  [Cerro  Gordo.] 
Those  generals  whom  the  nation  ha',  without  service  rendered,  paid  for 
so  many  years,  with  some  honorable  exceptions,  have,  in  the  day  of 
need,  betrayed  it  by  their  example  or  unskilfulness.  On  that  field, 
among  the  dead  and  dying,  are  seen  no  proofs  of  military  honor,  for  they 
are  reduced  to  the  sad  fate  of  the  soldier,— the  same  on  every  occasion, 
from  Palo  Alto  to  Cerro  Gordo, — the  dead  to  remain  unburied,  and  tha 


ADVANCE  OF  GENERAL  WORTH. 

After  leaving  Perote,  the  column  under  General 
Worth  entered  on  an  open  reach  of  country,  at  an  al 
titude  of  nearly  seven  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of 
the  ocean,  gently  undulating,  and  abounding  in  the 
productions  of  more  temperate  climes.  There  were 
many  large  plantations  of  maguey,  with  its  dark  leaves 
and  clustering  flowers ;  but  there  were  also  waving 

wounded  abandoned  to  the  charity  and  clemency  of  the  conqueror. 
Soldiers  who  go  to  fight  expecting  such  a  recompense,  deserve  to  be 
classed  among  the  best  in  the  world,  since  they  are  stimulated  by  no 
hope  of  ephemeral  glory,  of  regret,  of  remembrance,  or  even  of  a  grave. 

******** 

"I  will  not  believe  that  the  Mexicans  of  the  present  day  are  wanting 
in  courage  to  confess  errors  which  do  not  dishonor  them,  and  to  adopt 
a  system  of  true  liberty,  of  peace,  and  union  with  their  brethren  and 
neighbors  of  the  north  ;  neither  will  I  believe  that  they  are  ignorant  of 
the  falsity  of  the  calumnies  of  the  press,  intended  to  excite  hostility. 
No ! — public  sentiment  is  not  to  be  created  or  animated  by  falsehood. 
We  have  not  profaned  your  temples,  nor  abused  your  women,  nor  seized 
your  property,  as  they  would  have  you  believe.  WTe  say  this  with  pride, 
and  we  confirm  it  by  your  own  bishops,  and  by  the  clergy  of  Tampico, 
Tuspan,  Matamoras,  Monterey,  Vera  Cruz,  and  Jalapa,  and  by  all  the 
authorities,  civil  and  religious,  and  the  inhabitants  of  every  town  we 
have  occupied.  *  *  *  * 

"  Abandon  then,  rancorous  prejudices,  cease  to  be  the  sport  of  indi 
vidual  ambition,  and  conduct  yourselves  like  a  great  American  nation  ; 
leave  off  at  once  colonial  habits,  and  learn  to  be  truly  free,  truly  repub 
lican,  and  you  will  become  prosperous  and  happy,  for  you  possess  all 
the  elements  to  be  so  *  *  *  * 

"  The  order  to  form  guerilla  parties  to  attack  us,  I  assure  you  can 
procure  nothing  but  evil  to  your  country,  and  no  evil  to  our  army,  which 
will  know  how  to  proceed  against  them  ;  and  if,  so  far  from  conciliating, 
you  succeed  in  irritating,  you  will  impose  upon  us  the  hard  necessity  of 
retaliation,  and  then  you  cannot  blame  us  for  the  consequences  which 
will  fall  upon  yourselves. 

"  I  am  marching  with  my  army  upon  Puebla  and  Mexico;  I  do  not 
conceal  it ;  from  those  capitals  I  shall  again  address  you.  I  desire  peace, 
friendship,  and  union  ; — it  is  for  you  to  select  whether  you  prefer  war. 
Under  any  circumstances,  be  assured  I  shall  not  fail  my  word. — Extracts 
from  the  Proclamation  of  General  Scott. 


AFFAIR    AT    AMASOdUE.  293 

fields  of  corn,  and  wheat,  and  barley.  Scattered  about 
over  the  luxuriant  plains  were  tall  mountain  peaks, 
fringed  with  the  funereal  pine; or  piles  of  blackened 
scoria?,  marking  the  places  once  lighted  by  the  fires  of 
the  now  slumbering  volcano.  At  El  Final  they  crossed 
another  ridge,  and  then  descended  into  the  valley,  in 
the  midst  of  which  lies  Puebla — "  The  city  of  the  An 
gels/'*  To  the  stranger,  as  he  approaches,  it  seems 
like  some  rich  gem  lying  in  the  bosom  of  the  Cordil 
leras  ;  but  within,  vice,  degradation,  and  depravity,  tho 
most  hideous  and  loathsome,  meet  him  at  every  turn. 
The  church,  and  the  few  citizens — comparatively  the 
very  few — who  may  be  seen  at  sunset  rolling  in  their 
antique  coaches,  around  the  Alameda,  enjoying  the 
fragrance  of  its  flowers,  and  inhaling  the  atmosphere 
cooled  by  its  gushing  fountains, — have  amassed  all  the 
property,  and  the  great  multitude  are  miserably  poor 
and  wretched. 

General  Worth  halted  at  Amasoque,  twelve  miles 
from  Puebla,  with  his  division,  en  the  14th  of  May,  to 
await  the  arrival  of  General  Quitman.  About  eight 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  he  found  his  position  suddenly 
menaced  by  about  3,000  Mexican  cavalry,  commanded 
by  Santa  Anna.  When  first  discovered  they  appeared 
to  be  moving  along  on  the  right  flank  of  the  Amer 
icans,  towards  their  rear,  and  it  was  soon  reported  that 
a  heavy  column  were  also  approaching  on  the  main 
road.  Colonel  Garland,  with  the  2nd  artillery  and  a 
section  of  Duncan's  battery,  and  Major  Bonneville, 
with  the  6th  infantry  and  Steptoe's  battery,  were  or 
dered  to  attack  the  cavalry  force,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  troops  prepared  to  meet  the  enemy  said  to  be 
advancing  in  front.  No  other  party  was  discovered, 

*  The  Mexican  name  of  the  city,  in  full,  is,  La  Puebla  dt  losAngdw. 


294  ENTRANCE    INTO    PUEBLA. 

however,  and  after  twenty-five  rounds  were  fired  from 
the  batteries,  the  Mexican  cavalry  were  routed,  and 
disappeared  among  the  hills.  Some  prisoners  were 
taken,  and  ninety-eight  of  the  enemy  were  killed  or 
wounded.  Late  at  night  Santa  Anna  reached  Puebla 
with  his  discomfited  troops,  and  evacuated  it  early  on 
the  following  day.  Having  been  joined  by  General 
Quitman's  brigade,  General  Worth  entered  the  town 
in  the  morning  of  the  15th,  without  meeting  any  fur 
ther  resistance,  and  on  the  ensuing  day  took  possession 
of  the  adjacent  heights  of  Loretto  and  Guadaloupe, 
and  planted  a  battery  on  the  hill  of  San  Juan. 

History  presents  few  instances  of  the  display  of  dar 
ing  and  boldness  which  deserve  to  be  compared  with 
the  entrance  of  the  American  soldiers  into  the  city  of 
Puebla.  But  little  more  than  four  thousand  men, 
weather-beaten,  jaded,  and  wayworn,  with  the  dust  of 
many  a  weary  day's  journey  "  on  their  sandal  shoon," 
in  the  gray  fatigue-dress  of  the  service,  and  unaccom 
panied  by  the  gay  paraphernalia  of  war,  marched 
through  the  midst  of  a  hostile  population  of  sixtv  thou 
sand  souls,  stacked  their  arms  in  the  public  square, 
posted  their  guards,  and,  when  the  night-watches  came, 
lay  down  to  sleep  without  one  emotion  of  fear  or  alarm. 
The  citizens  were  evidently  chagrined  and  disappointed  ; 
for  they  had  prepared  themselves  for  the  approach  of 
warriors  of  swelling  port  and  proud  bearing,  all  glitter 
ing  in  purple  and  gold.  Fierce  and  lowering  looks 
were  cast  upon  the  soldiers  defiling  through  the  streets, 
from  the  crowded  pave  and  balcony,  and  from  behind 
the  vine-covered  lattices  along  their  route  ;  but  those 
who  marked  them  well,  saw  in  the  kindling  eye,  the 
rigid  muscle,  and  the  stern  lip,  that  dauntless  courage 
and  unconquerable  self-reliance,  of  far  more  worth  than 


GETSERAL  WORTH. 


RECEPTION    OF    THE    AMERICANS.  295 

numbers,  in  the  time  of  danger  and  of  peril.  Visits  of 
ceremony  were  interchanged  between  General  Worth 
and  the  civil  and  ecclesiastical  dignitaries  of  Puebla ;  the 
American  troops  were  careful  to  do  nothing  that  might 
provoke  acts  of  hostility ;  yet,  after  all,  their  reception 
was  "  respectfully  and  coldly  courteous,  but  without 
the  slightest  cordiality."*' 

Mr.  Trist,  the  American  Commissioner,  and  the 
bearer  of  the  dispatch  addressed,  as  we  have  seen,  by 
the  Secretary  of  State,  on  the  15th  of  April,  to  the 
Mexican  Minister  of  Foreign  Relations,  joined  General 
Scott  at  Jalapa,  on  the  14th  of  May.  Colonel  Childs 
was  left  in  command  of  the  city,  with  the  1st  artillery 
and  the  2nd  Pennsylvania ;  Colonel  Wynkoop  was  or 
dered  to  garrison  the  castle  of  Perote,  where  a  general 
hospital  was  established,  with  a  battalion  of  the  1st 
Pennsylvania  ;  and  on  the  22nd  instant  General  Twiggs 
marched  for  Puebla  with  his  division,  followed  by  Gen 
eral  Scott,  on  the  23rd. f  The  dispatch  brought  by 
Mr.  Trist  was  forwarded  to  the  city  of  Mexico  on  the 
12th  day  of  June. 

Foiled  in  his  attempt  to  prevent  the  entrance  of  Gen 
eral  Worth  into  Puebla,  Santa  Anna  advanced  towards 
Mexico,  with  the  feeble  force  which  he  still  continued 
to  dignify  with  the  appellation  of  "  the  army  of  the 
east."  His  approach  was  the  signal  for  another  dis 
turbance  in  the  capital.  On  the  20th  of  April,  Con- 

*  Official  dispatch  of  General  Worth,  May  15th,  1847.— While  Gen 
eral  Scott  lay  at  Puebla  with  the  main  body  of  his  array,  a  pi  a  a  was 
concocted  for  poisoning  his  men.  After  the  project  was  discovered,  the 
principal  part  of  the  troops  were  ordered  to  encamp  without  the  city. 

f  After  leaving  Jalapa,  the  American  army  became,  in  the  language 
of  General  Scott,  "  a  self-sustaining  machine  ;"  and  drew  its  subsistence 
mainly  from  the  country.  The  supplies  were  paid  for,  however,  as  had 
previously  been  done. 

15 


296  AFFAIRS  IN  THE    CITY    OF    MEXICO. 

gress  had  passed  a  decree  declaring  it  to  be  treason  for 
any  public  functionary  to  entertain  a  proposition  of 
peace.  The  tone  of  the  government  and  of  the  people 
was  bold  and  warlike.  The  star  of  Santa  Anna  \vas 
still  in  the  ascendant ;  his  enemies  were  silenced  for 
the  time ;  but  when  the  particulars  of  the  battle  of 
Cerro  Gordo  wrere  made  public,  they  were  loud  in  his 
condemnation.  The  new  constitution  adopted  by 
Congress  was  inaugurated,  and  on  the  15th  of  May 
the  regular  election  for  President  took  place.  The  re 
sult  was  supposed  to  be  in  favor  of  Herrera,  then  gen 
erally  regarded  as  the  peace  candidate,  but  his  oppo 
nents  were  strong  enough  to  cause  the  canvass  of  the 
vote  to  be  postponed  till  the  15th  of  January,  1848, — 
thus  continuing  the  office  of  provisional  president.  In 
the  midst  of  the  excitement,  Santa  Anna  approached 
the  capital.  From  Ayotla  he  addressed  a  letter  to  the 
President  substitute,  General  Anaya,  expressing  his 
views  in  relation  to  the  further  conduct  of  the  war  and 
the  defence  of  the  city,  and  intimating  his  intention  to 
resign  unless  they  were  adopted. 

The  citizens  of  Mexico  were  exceedingly  averse  to 
bringing  the  war  any  nearer  to  their  vicinity,  and  on 
the  appearance  of  the  General-in-chief  of  their  armies, 
they  heaped  upon  him  every  epithet  of  scorn  and  op 
probrium.  The  li  Bulletin  of  Democracy"  charged  him 
with  cowardice  and  incapacity  as  an  officer,  and  for  a 
few  days  it  was  very  uncertain  whether  he  would  be 
able  to  maintain  himself  in  authority.  A  vindication 
of  his  conduct,  prepared  by  Manuel  Maria  Jimen,  was 
published  in  the  "  Diario  del  Gobierno,"  and  both  that 
journal  and  the  "  Republicano"  engaged  warmly  in  his 
defence.  Again  he  triumphed  over  his  opponents,  and 
assumed  the  supreme  authority.  Collecting  together  a 


A    WARLIKE    DISPOSITION    MANIFESTED.  297 

large  military  force,  he  commenced  fortifying  the  Pass 
of  Rio  Frio,  and  the  approaches  to  the  capital ;  and 
General  Alvarez  was  sent  with  a  body  of  irregular  cav 
alry  and  Indians  from  Sonora  and  Sinaloa,  about  5,000 
strong,  to  hover  on  the  road  between  Perote  and  Pu- 
ebla,  and  cut  off  the  trains  coming  up  to  join  General 
Scott,  then  at  the  latter  place,  waiting  for  the  arrival 
of  his  reinforcements. 

When  the  dispatch  forwarded  from  Puebla  on  the 
12th  of  June,  reached  Mexico,  it  was  laid  before  Con 
gress.  At  this  time  Santa  Anna  manifested  something 
like  a  disposition  to  favor  the  conclusion  of  a  peace, 
although  he  did  not  openly  attempt  to  infuse  a  spirit 
of  conciliation  into  the  breasts  of  his  countrymen. 
Various  messages  passed  between  him  and  the  repre 
sentatives  of  the  nation,  in  relation  to  the  dispatch. 
He  evidently  desired  to  have  the  decree  of  the  20th  of 
April  repealed,  but  no  request  was  made  to  that  effect. 
The  invariable  reply  returned  by  Congress  to  the  com 
munications  of  the  Executive,  inquiring  as  to  the  dis 
position  which  should  be  made  of  the  matter,  was,  that 
the  incipient  steps  of  a  negotiation  belonged  to  the  lat 
ter,  and  that  they  could  not  interfere.  They  feared 
for  their  own  popularity  too  much  to  repeal  the  decree, 
and  Santa  Anna  was  probably  influenced  by  a  similar 
feeling.  Nothing  was  done  towards  procuring  an  in 
terview  with  Mr.  Trist ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  the  gen 
eral  cry  was  for  the  continuance  of  hostilities.  In  July 
General  Valencia  came  up  from  San  Luis  Potosi,  with 
over  4,000  men,  all  eager  for  war,  and  ten  pieces  of 
artillery.  The  publication  of  the  different  journals 
issued  in  Mexico,  with  the  exception  of  the  "  Diario 
del  Gobierno," — the  recognized  organ  of  the  govern 
ment, — was  suppressed,  and  when  that  paper  announ- 


298  REINFORCEMENTS    FOR    GENERAL    SCOTT. 

ced  the  determination  of  those  whose  views  it  repr  i- 
sented,  not  to  tender  the  olive  branch  of  peace  until  a 
victory  had  been  achieved  over  the  enemy,  the  power 
and  influence  of  Santa  Anna  were  placed  on  a  ikmer 
foundation  than  ever. 

The  enlistment  of  troops  under  the  ten  reg'nr^nt  bill 
did  not  progress  as  rapidly  as  was  anticipated  by  Gen 
eral  Scott,  and  the  War  department  of  the  United  States, 
considering  the  large  bounties  ;  but  the  reg'Aients  were 
soon  filled  up.  The  first  body  of  troop-j  dispatched 
to  the  seat  of  war,  were  ordered  to  the  Rio  Grande,  in 
command  of  General  Cadwalader,  to  aid  General  Tay 
lor  in  maintaining  his  line  of  communications,  then 
supposed  to  be  seriously  endangered  ;  but,  more  recent 
advices  having  been  received,  the  order  was  counter 
manded,  and  they  were  sent  to  strengthen  the  column 
commanded  by  General  Scott.  They  were  followed 
in  a  short  time  by  detachments  under  Generals  Pillow 
and  Pierce,  which  were  also  ordered  to  Vera  Cruz. 

Without  the  reinforcements  which  he  expected  to 
ioin  him,  it  would  have  been  extremely  unwise  in  Gen 
eral  Scott,  had  he  advanced  beyond  Puebla.  Taking 
advantage  of  the  consternation  that  prevailed  about 
the  time  of  his  arrival  in  that  city,  he  might  have  en 
tered  the  capital,  perhaps,  without  an  action.  His 
whole  effective  force  barely  exceeded  6,000  men ; 
Santa  Anna  was  known  to  be  in  or  near  Mexico,  with 
a  large  body  of  troops  ;  General  Alvarez  was  within 
striking  distance  in  his  rear;  and  if  he  moved  forward, 
the  detachments  coming  up  would  be  more  exposed  to 
attack  ;  and  should  they  be  cut  off,  his  own  position 
must  be  very  insecure.  Under  such  circumstances  he 
decided  to  remain  at  Puebla  until  the  reinforcements 
arrived.  He  therefore  remained  inactive  for  several 


COLONEL  MCINTOSH  AND  THE  GUERILLEROS.      299 

weeks  ;  but  the  time  was  profitably  spent  in  drilling  the 
troops  on  the  plains  near  the  town.  The  divisions  of 
Generals  Worth  and  Twiggs  were  rendered  almost 
perfect  in  discipline,  and  the  volunteers  wanted  but 
little  of  being  equal  to  the  regulars,  in  point  of  effi 
ciency. 

The  guerilleros  began  to  show  themselves  on  the 
road  to  Vera  Cruz  towards  the  latter  part  of  May,  and 
the  first  of  June.  Captain  Walker  was  ordered  to  join 
Colonel  Wynkoop  at  Perote,  with  his  company  of 
mounted  rifles,  and  he  soon  commenced  the  work  of 
retaliation.  Following  their  trails,  and  tracking  them 
to  their  lairs,  he  rendered  most  efficient  service  in  de 
feating  their  plans  and  counteracting  their  projects.* 
On  the  4th  of  June  Colonel  Mclntosh  left  Vera  Cruz 
for  the  head-quarters  of  the  army,  with  three  compa 
nies  of  the  3rd  dragoons,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Moore,  and  six  companies  of  infantry,  belonging  to 
different  regiments,  under  Major  Lee  of  the  4th,  and 
Captain  Whipple  of  the  5th,  in  all  numbering  about 
700  men.  The  command  escorted  a  large  wagon-train 
containing  specie  and  ammunition.  The  guerilieros 
had  been  made  acquainted  with  the  valuable  character 
of  the  train,  and  collected  in  force  on  the  road  to  reap 
the  rich  harvest  which  they  fancied  to  be  within  their 
grasp.  Great  care  was  taken  by  the  Americans  to 
prevent  a  surprise,  and  flankers  were  thrown  out  from 
one  to  two  hundred  yards  to  the  right  and  left  of  the 
advance  guard. 

Soon  after  they  entered  the  broken  country,  the  de 
tachment  under  Colonel  Mclntosh  encountered  the 

*  General  Scott  also  employed  a  company  of  Mexican  spies,  who 
rendered  important  services  in  discovering  the  haunts  of  the  guerilleros, 
and  in  conveying  dispatches. 


300  AFFAIR    AT    THE    NATIONAL    BRIDGE. 

enemy  in  a  narrow  pass  among  the  hills.  An  attemp1 
was  made  to  capture  the  wagons  in  the  centre,  but  this 
was  defeated,  and  the  train  closed  up.  Again  advan 
cing,  they  were  attacked  about  half  a  mile  further  on, 
in  the  midst  of  a  dense  growth  of  cactus  and  wild 
thorn.  The  banditti  were  in  a  few  moments  discovered 
occupying  the  hills  which  flanked  the  road,  and  the 
Americans  dashed  into  the  thickets  to  drive  them  from 
their  position.  This  was  gallantly  effected,  and  the 
command  occupied  the  ground  during  the  night.  Be 
lieving  it  unwise  to  proceed,  Colonel  Mclntosh  dis 
patched  an  express  to  General  Cadwalader,  then  at 
Vera  Cruz,  apprizing  him  of  the  attack  made  on  his 
command,  and  that  his  train  had  been  considerably 
crippled,  and  requesting  that  he  might  be  reinforced  as 
soon  as  possible.  In  the  morning  of  the  7th  he  advan 
ced  to  Paso  de  Ovejas,  a  more  favorable  point  for  an 
encampment,  beating  off  with  little  difficulty  a  second 
attack  made  during  the  march.  In  this  affair  Colonel 
Mclntosh  lost  twenty-four  men  in  killed  and  wounded ; 
that  of  the  enemy  was  not  ascertained. 

General  Cadwalader  received  the  dispatch  of  Colonel 
Mclntosh  on  the  7th  of  June,  and  on  the  morning  of 
the  8th  was  en  route  to  reinforce  him  with  about  500 
men,  consisting  of  one  company  of  the  3rd  dragoor 
one  section  of  the  howitzer  battery  from  the  voltigeur 
regiment,  and  a  detachment  of  infantry.  He  arrived 
at  the  camp  of  Colonel  Mclntosh  on  the  10th  instant, 
and  on  the  following  afternoon  the  column  resumed  its 
march.  Upon  approaching  the  Puente  Nacional,  to 
wards  evening,  they  found  the  enemy  in  possession  of 
the  road.  The  bridge  was  barricaded,  and  they  also 
occupied  the  fort  on  the  left,  commanding  the  road  ii* 
Us  circuitous  descent  to  the  river,  and  the  heights  on 


THE    PASS    OF    LA    HOYA.  301 

the  opposite  bank,  from  which  they  had  a  raking  fire 
upon  the  advancing  columns,  and  which  could  only  be 
reached  by  crossing  the  bridge.  The  Mexicans  were 
first  driven  from  the  fort  by  the  infantry ;  the  barricade 
was  then  breached  by  the  howitzers,  and  a  passage 
opened  by  one  company  of  cavalry  and  two  of  infantry. 
The  heights  beyond  were  now  carried,  and  the  enemy 
scattered  in  confusion.  The  position  was  a  formidable 
one,  but  the  Mexicans  were  driven  from  it,  with  the 
loss  of  only  thirty-two  men.  The  assailants,  however, 
were  protected  to  some  extent  by  the  darkness  ;  other 
wise  their  loss  must  have  been  more  severe.  The 
march  was  resumed  on  the  13th,  and  on  the  15th  they 
reached  Jalapa,  with  no  other  annoyance  than  an  oc 
casional  discharge  of  escopetas  from  the  chaparral 
along  the  road. 

At  Jalapa  General  Cadwalader  was  joined  by  Col 
onel  Childs,*  with  four  companies  of  the  2nd  dragoons, 
the  1st  artillery,  and  the  2nd  Pennsylvania.  The  com 
mand  left  that  city  on  the  18th  instant,  and  on  the  20th 
found  the  Mexicans  posted  in  considerable  force  on  the 
heights  commanding  the  Pass  of  La  Hoya,  prepared  to 
intercept  their  progress.  Captain  Winder,  with  four 
companies  of  the  1st  artillery,  supported  by  Major  Dim- 
mick,  with  two  additional  companies  of  the  same 
regiment,  advanced  against  the  enemy,  and  drove  them 
precipitately  from  the  hills.  Here  the  routed  guerille- 
ros  were  unexpectedly  attacked  in  the  rear  by  Captain 
Walker,  with  his  company  of  mounted  rifles,  and  the 
battalion  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  under  Colonel  Wyn- 

*  Jalapa  was  abandoned  by  order  of  General  Scott,  who  found  him 
self  unable  to  maintain  any  garrisons  on  his  line  of  communications 
other  than  those  at  Vera  Cruz.  Perote,  and  Puebla,  where  his  hospital* 
were  established. 


302  MARCH    OF    GENERAL    PIERCE    TO    PUEBLA. 

koop. — The  latter,  on  hearing  of  the  approach  of  Gen 
eral  Cadwalader,  had  left  Perote,  with  the  companies 
of  his  regiment  and  Captain  Walker's  men,  to  aid  in 
driving  the  guerilleros  from  the  road.  Early  in  the 
morning  of  the  20th, Captain  Walker,  in  the  advance, 
encountered  nearly  five  hundred  of  the  enemy  at  Las 
Vegas,  whom  he  bravely  attacked  with  his  small  com 
mand  of  thirty  men.  Colonel  Wynkoop  coming  up, 
the  guerilleros  were  soon  put  to  flight. — The  two  par 
ties  under  General  Cadwalader  and  Colonel  Wynkoop, 
ioining  in  the  pursuit  of  the  flying  banditti,  they  were 
driven  from  hill  to  hill,  nearly  three  miles,  leaving  be 
hind  them  fifty  of  their  number  either  dead  or  wounded. 

This  was  one  of  the  severest  blows  received  by  the 
guerilleros  during  the  war.  The  party  which  attacked 
General  Cadwalader  at  La  Hoy  a,  was  supposed  to  be 
about  700  strong,  and  was  commanded  by  Father  Ja- 
rauta,  and  two  other  priests,  formerly  Spanish  Carlists, 
like  himself.  On  reaching  Las  Vegas,  General  Cad 
walader  learned  that  it  was  the  nursery  and  depot  of 
the  marauding  parties  infesting  the  road.  Under  his 
orders  the  town  was  laid  in  ashes, — the  neat  Catholic 
church  in  its  centre  alone  being  spared. 

While  making  preparations  at  Perote  for  the  march 
to  Puebla,  General  Cadwalader  received  an  order  by 
express  from  General  Pillow,  then  coming  up  from  the 
coast  with  1,800  men,  to  await  his  arrival.  The  latter 
reached  Perote  on  the  1st  of  July,  and  the  united  com 
mand,  now  over  3,000  in  number,  moved  on  towards 
Puebla,  where  they  arrived  on  the  8th  instant,  without 
further  interruption. 

General  Pierce  left  Vera  Cruz  on  the  16th  of  July, 
with  2,500  men,  of  all  arms,  including  a  battalion  of 
marines,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Watson.  His  col- 


ADVANCE    OF    THE    ARMV  303 

umn,  with  the  wagon-train,  was  nearly  two  miles  in 
length.  On  arriving  near  the  National  Bridge,  he  found 
it  obstructed  and  defended,  in  the  same  manner  as  on 
the  passage  of  the  river  by  General  Cadwalader ;  but 
he  was  unable  to  place  his  artillery  in  a  commanding 
position,  and  orders  were  therefore  given  to  charge  upon 
the  enemy.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bonham,  of  the  12th 
infantry,  at  the  head  of  his  battalion,  rushed  forward 
under  a  heavy  fire  from  the  enemy's  escopetas,  followed 
by  Captain  Duperu,  with  his  company  of  the  3rd  dra 
goons,  sword  in  hand.  The  men  leaped  over  the  bar 
ricade  upon  the  bridge,  and  in  the  space  of  ten  minutes 
the  guerilleros  were  flying  in  every  direction.  The 
command  proceeded  to  the  Rio  del  Plan,  where  they 
discovered  that  the  main  arch  of  the  bridge  had  been 
blown  up.  Having  crossed  the  river,  General  Pierce 
continued  on  his  way  to  join  General  Scott.  He  was 
five  times  attacked  by  the  gueriileros,  including  the 
rencontre  at  the  Puente  Nacional,  but  repulsed  them 
on  every  occasion. 

On  the  approach  of  General  Pierce  with  his  rein 
forcement,  General  P.  F.  Smith  was  sent  out  from 
Puebla  to  clear  the  road  in  front  of  the  former,  said  to 
be  obstructed  by  the  enemy,  with  a  considerable  detach 
ment.  He  succeeded  in  breaking  up  a  large  guerilla  es 
tablishment  at  San  Juan  de  los  Llanos.  General  Pierce 
found  the  way  opened  before  him,  and  arrived  at  Pu 
ebla  on  the  6th  of  August.  General  Scott  had  already 
issued  his  orders  for  the  advance  to  the  Mexican  cap 
ital  ;  and  on  the  7th  instant  General  Twiggs'  division, 
preceded  by  the  brigade  of  cavalry  under  Colonel  Har- 
ney,  took  up  the  line  of  march  for  the  far-famed  halls 
of  the  Montezumas.  The  divisions  of  Generals  Quit- 
man,  Worth,  and  Pillow,  followed,  at  intervals  of  one 


304  FORCE    OF    GENERAL    SCOTT. 

day.*  Colonel  Childs  remained  at  Puebla,  as  civil  and 
military  governor,  with  a  garrison  of  about  1,400  men, 
consisting  of  detachments  from  different  regiments. 

*  The  total  rank  and  file  of  the  army  which  marched  to  the  capital 
under  General  Scott,  was  10,738.  The  cavalry  brigade  under  Colonel 
Harney,  consisted  of  detachments  of  the  1st,  2nd,  and  3rd  dragoons, 
commanded  respectively  by  Captain  Kearny,  Major  Sumner,  and  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Moore,  and  a  volunteer  company  in  command  of  Cap 
tain  McKinstry  of  the  quartermaster's  department.  The  first  diviswn 
was  commanded  by  General  Worth  ;  the  first  brigade,  under  Colonel 
Garland,  consisting  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan's  light  battery,  the 
2nd  artillery,  Major  Gait,  3rd  artillery,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Belton,  and 
4th  infantry,  Major  Lee ;  and  the  second  brigade,  under  Colonel  Clarke, 
consisting  of  the  5th  infantry,  Colonel  Mclntosh,  6th  infantry,  Major 
Bonneville,  and  8th  infantry,  Major  Waite.  The  siege  train,  under 
Captain  Huger  of  the  ordnance,  was  attached  to  Worth's  division.  The 
second  division  was  commanded  by  General  Twiggs ;  the  first  brigade, 
under  General  P.  F.  Smith,  consisting  of  the  rifle  regiment,  Major  Lor- 
ing,  the  1st  artillery,  Major  Dimmick.  3rd  infantry,  Captain  Alexander, 
and  Captain  Taylor's  light  battery;  and  the  second  brigade, under  Col 
onel  Riley.  consisting  of  the  4th  artillery,  Major  Gardner,  2nd  infantry, 
Captain  Morris,  and  7th  infantry,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Plympton.  The 
company  of  sappers  and  miners,  under  Lieutenant  G.  W.  Smith,  was 
attached  to  Twiggs'  division.  The  third  diviswn  was  commanded  by 
General  Pillow ;  the  first  brigade,  under  General  Pierce,  consisting  of 
the  9th  infantry,  Colonel  Ransom,  12th  infantry,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Bonham,  and  15th  infantry,  Colonel  Morgan ;  and  the  second  brigade, 
Under  General  Cadwalader,  consisting  of  the  voltigeuers,  with  the  moun 
tain  howitzer  and  rocket  battery,  Colonel  Andrews,  llth  infantry,  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Graham,  and  14th  infantry,  Colonel  Trousdale.  Cap- 
ain  Magruder's  light  battery  was  also  attached  to  this  division.  The 
fourth  division  was  commanded  by  General  Quitman,  and  consisted 
of  the  South  Carolina  regiment,  Colonel  Butler,  and  the  New  York  vol 
unteers,  Colonel  Burnett,  forming  the  brigade  of  General  Shields,  with 
the  2nd  Pennsylvania,  Colonel  Roberts,  the  battalion  of  marines,  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Watson,  and  Captain  Steptoe's  battery. 


CHAPTER  X. 

DONIPHAN'S  MARCH. 

The  Missouri  Volunteers — Expedition  against  the  Navajos — Orders  to 
join  General  Wool — La  Jornada  del  Muerto — Skirmish  at  Bracito — 
El  Paso  del  Norte — Fortifications  of  the  Enemy  at  the  Pass  of  Sacra 
mento — The  Battle — Flight  of  the  Mexicans — Entrance  into  the  City 
of  Chihuahua— March  to  Monterey— Return  Home. 

WHILE  the  more  important  military  operations  which 
have  been  narrated,  were  being  carried  on  in  other 
quarters  of  the  country,  there  occurred,  in  northern 
Mexico,  one  of  those  extraordinary  achievements  which 
are  rarely  undertaken,  and  which,  when  accomplished, 
always  challenge  admiration.  A  mere  handful  of  men, 
— a  volunteer  force  less  than  one  thousand  strong — 
commanded  by  a  bold,  fearless,  and  energetic  officer, 
performed  an  arduous  and  fatiguing  march  of  many 
thousand  miles,  through  a  hostile  country,  chastising  or 
awing  the  savage  tribes  which  infested  their  route  into 
submission ;  encountering  the  enemy,  in  superior  num 
bers,  on  two  several  occasions,  and  routing  them  with 
the  utmost  ease  and  facility.  All  this  was  done  with 
comparatively  little  loss ;  and  when  the  term  of  their 
enlistments  expired,  these  soldiers  returned  to  their  dis 
tant  homes,  leaving  behind  them  but  very  few  of  their 
comrades  who  had  been  overtaken  by  sickness,  or  fallen 
in  battle,  or 

"  tired  on  the  marches 
Of  the  war-path,  long  and  drear!" 


306  EXPEDITION    AGAINST    THE    NAVAJOS. 

Among  the  pledges  and  assurances  given  by  General 
Kearny  to  the  inhabitants  of  New  Mexico,  in  order 
to  render  them  better  satisfied  with  the  new  form  of 
government  which  he  established,  prior  to  his  depar 
ture  for  California  in  the  fall  of  1846,  was  a  guarantee 
of  protection  against  the  Indians  in  their  vicinity.  The 
Apaches,  as  we  have  seen,  were  temporarily  quieted  ; 
and  while  on  his  way  to  the  Pacific  coast,  the  general 
issued  an  order  at  La  Joy  a,  in  October,  requiring  Col 
onel  Doniphan,  of  the  first  Missouri  mounted  volunteers, 
then  at  Santa  Fe,  but  previously  instructed  to  report  to 
General  Wool  at  Chihuahua,  to  make  a  campaign  with 
his  regiment  into  the  country  inhabited  by  the  Navajo 
Indians.  This  was  one  of  the  fiercest  and  most  im 
placable  tribes  west  of  the  Mississippi,  occupying  the 
greater  part  of  the  territory  between  the  waters  of  the 
Rio  Grande  and  those  of  the  Rio  Colorado  of  the  West, 
and  its  warriors  had  long  been  "  the  terror  and  scourge" 
of  the  northern  provinces  of  Mexico. 

Colonel  Doniphan  left  Santa  Fe  on  the  26th  of  Octo 
ber,  and  having  divided  his  command  into  separate  de 
tachments,  invaded  the  Navajo  country  by  three  routes. 
This  expedition  was  attempted  late  in  the  season,  and 
was  not  brought  to  a  close  until  the  troops  had  suffered 
severely  from  the  intense  cold  of  winter.  Their  daily 
march  was  through  drifts  of  snow  which  blocked 
up  the  valleys,  and  across  mountains  covered  with  ice 
Every  portion  of  the  Indian  territory  was  visited,  and 
near  three-fourths  of  the  tribe,  though  almost  entire 
strangers  to  the  American  name,  were  collected  at  the 
Ojo  Oso,  where  a  permanent  treaty  was  made  with 
them.  The  object  of  the  expedition  being  attained, 
Colonel  Doniphan  returned  to  the  Rio  Grande,  neai 
Socorro,  on  the  12th  of  December.  He  then  crossed 


MARCH  TO  JOIN  GENERAL  WOOL.        307 

over  to  Valvervede,  and  on  the  14th  instant,  in  obedi 
ence  to  the  order  directing  him  to  report  to  General 
Wool,  then  supposed  to  be  at  Chihuahua,  the  advance, 
under  Major  Gilpin,  took  up  the  line  of  march  down 
the  left  bank  of  the  river.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Jack 
son  followed  on  the  16th,  with  another  detachment. 
While  Colonel  Doniphan  was  engaged  in  bringing  the 
Navajos  to  terms,  Colonel  Price,  of  the  2nd  Missouri 
regiment,  the  commanding  officer  at  Santa  Fe,  dis 
patched  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mitchell,  with  an  escort  of 
95  men,  selected  from  his  regiment,  and  from  the  bat 
talion  of  Missouri  volunteer  artillery,  under  Major 
Clark,  to  open  a  communication  with  General  Wool. 
The  detachment  left  Santa  Fe  on  the  1st  of  December, 
and  came  up  with  Colonel  Doniphan  at  Valvervede,  on 
the  17th  instant.  On  the  following  day  they  proceeded 
in  company  with  him,  and  the  remainder  of  the  1st 
Missouri,  upon  the  route  previously  taken  by  the  other 
portions  of  his  command.  Before  leaving  Valvervede, 
Colonel  Doniphan  was  informed  that  the  Mexicans  were 
collecting  a  force  at  El  Paso  del  Norte,  to  intercept  his 
march,  and  an  order  was  therefore  sent  to  Major  Clark, 
of  the  artillery  battalion  at  Santa  Fe,  to  join  him  at  the 
earliest  moment  with  100  men,  and  a  battery  of  four 
six-pounders,  and  two  twelve-pounder  howitzers.* 

A  few  miles  south  of  Fra  Christobal,  the  road  to  Chi 
huahua,  instead  of  following  the  windings  of  the  river, 
pursues  a  direct  course  from  one  bend  to  another,  over 
a  dry  plain  between  seventy  and  eighty  miles  in  length, 
completely  destitute  of  water,  except  immediately  after 

*  Colonel  Doniphan's  force  numbered  856  effective  men,  all  armed 
Vfiih  rifles ;  but,  at  this  time,  he  had  no  artillery.  The  twelve-pounder 
howitzers  ordered  from  Santa  Fe  were  constructed  expressly  for  field 
prairie  service. 


308  LA    JORNADA    DEL    MUERTO. 

a  shower  of  rain,  and  frequently  intersected  by  broad 
gulfy  ravines.  Few  zephyrs  love  to  sport  among  the 
tussocks  of  grass  which  cover  this  arid  stretch  of  coun 
try  ;  the  dark  close-set  leaves  of  the  grease- wood  hang 
droopingly  from  their  stems  ;  the  tufts  of  the  wild  sage 
seem  parched  with  heat ;  occasionally  a  pile  of  stones 
surmounted  by  a  cross,  the  rude  memorial  reared  above 
the  grave  of  the  wayfarer  who  perished  on  his  journey, 
meets  the  eye  of  the  traveller,;  but  all  is  still,  solemn, 
voiceless  as  the  tomb.  Most  appropriately  has  the  Mex 
ican  termed  the  passage  over  this  dreary  waste,  La  Jor 
nada  del  Muerto*  In  their  progress  to  the  south,  the 
Americans  often  crossed  similar  tracts,  though  less  ex 
tensive — they  were  poorly  provided  with  sustenance 
and  raiment,  but  their  hardships  and  privations  were 
submitted  to  without  murmuring  or  complaint. 

The  different  detachments  of  Colonel  Doniphan's 
command  were  concentrated  at  Dona  Ana,  sixty  miles 
from  El  Paso,  and  they  were  now  also  joined  by  a  num 
ber  of  traders  with  over  300  wagons,  who  had  left 
Santa  Fe  in  September,  but  had  become  too  much 
alarmed  to  proceed  on  their  route.  Here  intelligence 
was  received  that  seven  hundred  Mexican  troops  and 

*  "  This  dry  stretch  of  road  is  called  La  Jornada  del  Mucrlo,  or,  The 
(days')  Journey  of  Death.  Although  the  word  Jornada  only  means  a 
days'  journey,  yet,  from  this  day  forward,  our  men  called  every  long 
dry  extent  of  road,  a  Jornada.  In  passing  through  the  country,  if  you 
ask  a  peasant  how  far  it  is  from  one  place  to  another,  he  will  tell  you 
so  many  jornadas  (pronounced  hornarthars),  meaning,  that  to  encamp 
at  water  each  night,  it  will  take  so  many  days  to  travel  it.  But,  as  they 
always  estimate  road  by  the  time  it  takes  a  pack-mule  to  go  over  it,  you 
must  allow  accordingly.  This  long  piece  of  road,  La  Jornada  del  Mu- 
erto,  obtained  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  a  Mexican  having  at 
tempted  to  cross  it  in  a  day,  and  from  his  not  being  provided  with  water 
or  food,  having  perished  on  the  road." — Edwards'  Campaign  in  Nev 
Mexico. 


SKIRMISH    AT    BRACITO.  309 

six  pieces  of  artillery  had  arrived  at  El  Paso.  The 
column  moved  forward  on  the  23rd  of  December,  pre 
senting  quite  a  picturesque  appearance  as  they  wound 
their  way  across  valley  and  plain  ;  the  soldiers  all 
mounted  and  well  armed,  and  the  white  cotton  tilts  of 
the  Conestogas,  as  the  traders'  wagons  were  styled, 
gleaming  brightly  in  the  sunlight. 

About  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  Christmas 
day,  Colonel  Doniphan  had  halted,  with  the  advance  of 
500  men,  at  Temascalitos,  on  an  arm  of  the  river  called 
Bracito,  for  the  purpose  of  camping ;  the  horses  were 
unsaddled  and  sent  some  distance  from  the  camp  to 
graze,  and  the  men  were  soon  busily  engaged  in  carry 
ing  wood  and  water.  While  thus  employed,  a  heavy 
cloud  of  dust  was  suddenly  discovered  rolling  up  from 
the  south,  and  in  a  moment  after  the  advance  guard 
descried  the  enemy  approaching  in  force.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Jackson  was  still  several  miles  in  the  rear  with 
the  remainder  of  the  troops.  The  rally  was  instantly 
sounded,  and  Colonel  Doniphan  formed  his  men  in  open 
order  on  foot  as  skirmishers,  throwing  the  extreme 
points  of  the  two  wings  towards  the  river,  to  protect 
his  flanks  and  baggage.  The  Americans  were  some 
what  taken  by  surprise,  but  a  few  moments  sufficed  to 
complete  their  dispositions.  The  enemy  halted  within 
half  a  mile,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle — the  Vera 
Cruz  lancers  on  the  right,  the  Chihuahda  battalion  on 
the  left,  and  the  infantry  and  militia,  with  a  two-poun 
der  howitzer,  in  the  centre.  The  Mexican  cavalry 
were  gayly  decorated  with  bright  scarlet  coats  and 
white  belts,  with  shining  brass  helmets  and  dark  waving 
plumes,  and  their  polished  sabres  and  escopetas,  and 
their  long  lances,  ornamented  with  pennons  of  red  and 
green,  glistened  in  the  rays  of  the  evening  sun. 


310  DEFEAT    OF    THE    ENEMY. 

Just  as  the  Americans  were  forming,  a  Mexican  offi 
cer,  bearing  a  black  flag,  rode  up  to  their  line,  and  de 
manded  that  their  commander  should  accompany  him 
to  confer  with  the  officer  in  command  of  the  enemy 
Notwithstanding  his  declaration,  that  the  penalty  of  a 
non-compliance  with  the  demand  would  be  a  charge, 
without  quarter,  he  received  a  peremptory  refusal,  and 
returned  to  those  who  sent  him.*  Upon  his  return  the 
enemy  advanced  to  the  charge,  opening  a  simultaneous 
fire  from  their  whole  line.  When  within  rifle-shot  the 
Mexicans  attempted  to  file  to  the  right  and  left,  and 
pass  the  flanks  of  the  opposing  force  :  Colonel  Doni- 
phan's  men  had  so  far  reserved  their  fire,  but  they  now 
opened  upon  the  enemy  from  right  to  left,  with  such 
spirit  and  effect,  that  they  were  immediately  thrown 
into  confusion.  Captain  Reid  had  succeeded  in  mount 
ing  about  twenty  men,  and  as  the  lancers  were  rallied 
to  the  charge  on  the  American  left,  he  fell  furiously 
upon  them  with  his  small  force,  and  after  a  desperate 
contest,  which  continued  about  twenty  minutes,  suc 
ceeded  in  putting  them  to  flight.  As  the  enemy's  in 
fantry  gave  way,  Lieutenant  Wright  charged  upon 
them  with  his  company,  and  captured  the  howitzer. 
This  completed  the  overthrow  of  the  enemy,  and  they 
fled  on  all  sides  to  the  contiguous  mountains. 

The  Mexican  force  in  the  affair  at  the  Bracito,  num 
bered  1,220.  Of  this  number  537  were  cavalry,  and  the 
remainder  infantry.  A  portion  of  the  latter  consisted 

*  "  Before  we  had  fully  formed,  they  sent  a  lieutenant  near  our  lines 
with  a  black  flag,  with  a  demand  that  the  commander  of  our  forces 
should  go  to  their  lines  and  confer  with  their  commander;  declaring, 
at  the  same  time,  unless  it  was  complied  with,  they  would  charge  and 
take  him,  and  neither  ask  nor  give  quarters.  The  reply  was  more  abrupt 
than  decorous — to  charge  and  be  d — d." — Official  report  of  Colone* 
Doniphan,  dated  March  4th,  1847. 


EL    PASO    DEL    NORTE.  311 

of  militia  from  El  Paso.  The  advance  only  of  Colonel 
Doniphan's  command  were  engaged,  as  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Jackson  did  not  arrive  from  the  rear  until  after  the 
action  had  terminated.  The  enemy  lost  forty-three 
killed  and  one  hundred  and  fifty  wounded.  Colonel 
Doniphan  had  but  seven  men  wounded,  all  of  whom  re 
covered,  and  none  killed.  Besides  the  howitzer,  there 
were  also  captured  a  number  of  carbines,  and  a  quan 
tity  of  provisions. 

The  Americans  anticipated  having  another  encounter 
with  the  enemy  before  entering  El  Paso,  and  were  ac 
cordingly  on  the  alert.  On  the  night  of  the  26th  they 
encamped  within  a  short  distance  of  the  city,  and  en 
tered  it  on  the  ensuing  day  without  opposition.  This 
town  is  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Rio  Grande, 
three  hundred  and  ten  miles  below  Santa  Fe,  and  was 
founded  by  a  body  of  Spanish  refugees,  driven  from  the 
latter  place  by  the  Indians  in  1680,  who  crossed  the 
river  at  this  point  in  order  to  elude  pursuit,  from  which 
circumstance  the  name  is  derived.  El  Paso  contains 
about  five  thousand  inhabitants,  and  there  is  a  large 
population  in  the  rich  valley  extending  above  and  be 
low  the  town.  When  Colonel  Doniphan  visited  it  with 
his  troops,  the  vineyards  were  in  '*  the  sere  and  yellow 
leaf,"  yet  they  afforded  the  promise  of  an  abundant 
harvest.  Most  of  the  Pasenians  retired  on  the  ap 
proach  of  the  Americans,  but  they  shortly  after  returned 
to  their  homes.  Those  who  remained  manifested  feel 
ings  of  friendship ;  and  when  the  soldiers  marched 
through  the  streets,  baskets  of  most  luscious  fruit,  the 
produce  of  the  past  season,  were  forced  upon  their  ac 
ceptance. 

On  his  arrival  at  El  Paso,  Colonel  Doniphan  learned 
from  the  prisoners  taken,  and  from  other  sources,  that 


3] 2  ADVANCE    TOWARDS    CHIHUAHUA. 

General  Wool  had  not  advanced  upon  Chihuahua.  In 
this  condition  of  things,  a  forward  movement  was 
deemed  extremely  hazardous,  but  he  resolved  to  under 
take  it  as  soon  as  he  was  joined  by  the  artillery.  Major 
Clark  arrived  at  El  Paso  on  the  5th  of  February,  1847, 
with  about  120  men  of  his  battalion,  and  the  six  pieces 
of  artillery  ordered  from  Santa  Fe ;  and  on  the  8th 
instant,  Colonel  Doriiphan  proceeded  on  the  road  to 
Chihuahua,  escorting  the  merchant  train  or  caravan 
which  had  accompanied  him  from  Dona  Ana.*  A  few 
miles  below  El  Paso  is  the  Presidio  de  San  Elecario, 
originally  a  strong  fortification,  covering  nearly  eight 
acres  of  ground,  and  containing  a  neat  church  within 
its  walls.  This  was  not  occupied  by  the  enemy,  and 
the  only  instrument  of  war  found  in  it  was  a  stone  mor 
tar,  which  the  Americans  took  with  them.  They  left 
San  Elecario  on  the  llth  of  February,  and  after  cross 
ing  several  desolate  and  tedious  jornadas,  they  arrived 
at  the  Laguna  de  Encenillas,  a  shallow  brackish  lake, 
two  hundred  and  seven  miles  below  El  Paso,  and 
seventy-four  miles  from  Chihuahua,  in  the  afternoon  of 
the  25th  instant.  Rumors  that  the  enemy  were  in  force 
upon  the  road  had  previously  reached  them,  and  they 
were  now  informed  by  their  spies  that  a  body  of  troops 
were  at  Inseneas,  the  country-seat  of  Angel  Trias, 
Governor  of  Chihuahua,  about  twenty-five  miles  in  ad 
vance.  They  arrived  there  on  the  following  day,  when 
they  found  that  the  enemy  had  retired.  On  the  27th 
they  reached  Sauz,  where  they  learned  that  the  Mex 
icans  had  fortified  the  pass  of  Sacramento,  twenty 
miles  north  of  the  city  of  Chihuahua. 

The  approach  of  the  American  troops  had  been  for  a 
long  time  anticipated  by  the  authorities  of  Chihuahua, 

*  The  force  under  Colonel  Doniphan  now  consisted  of  924  men. 


THE    PASS    OF    SACRAMENTO.  313 

and  preparations  were  made  to  obstruct  their  advance 
by  Governor  Trias,  and  General  Jose  Heredia,  the 
commandant  general  of  the  district.*  At  a  meeting 
of  the  legislature  of  the  department,  the  governor  pre 
siding,  it  was  decided  that  when  Doniphan's  men  should 
be  tal»en,  they  were  to  be  stripped  of  their  money  and 
arms,  and  sent  on  foot  to  the  city  of  Mexico ;  and  a 
quantity  of  cord  was  cut  in  suitable  lengths  for  tying 
the  prisoners,  which  was  afterwards  captured  at  the 
battle  of  Sacramento.  General  Heredia,  with  Generals 
Justiniani,  Garcia  Conde,  and  Ugarte  and  Governor 
Trias,  who  acted  as  a  brigadier  general,  advanced  to  the 
pass  of  Sacramento  about  the  middle  of  February,  with 
near  4,000  troops,  regulars  and  militia,  ten  pieces  of 
field  artillery,  and  six  culverins,  or  rampart  pieces. f 
The  position  was  skilfully  and  strongly  fortified,  under 
the  direction  of  General  Conde,  who  was  afterwards 
detached  with  800  cavalry  to  observe  the  Americans, 
and  on  the  approach  of  Colonel  Doniphan  fell  back  to 
the  main  body. 

The  road  from  Sauz  to  the  rancho  of  Sacramento, 
in  front  of  which  the  enemy  had  fortified  themselves, 
follows  the  course  of  an  open  level  valley,  bounded  on 
either  side  by  ranges  of  sterile  n  ountains.  About  sevei: 

*  General  Cuilte  was  posted  at  San  Rosalia,  in  December  1846,  to  in 
tercept  General  Wool ;  but  the  post  was  abandoned  when  it  was  ascer 
tained  that  he  had  taken  another  route. 

t  According  to  General  Heredia's  official  report,  dated  March  2nd, 
1847,  he  had  but  1,575  men,  and  ten  pieces  of  artillery.  In  this  esti 
mate  he  could  not  have  included  all  the  militia  and  rancheros  who  were 
present  at  the  battle,  and  the  Americans  certainly  captured  more  than 
that  number  of  guns,  including  the  culverins.  Colonel  Doniphan,  in 
his  report,  dated  March  4th,  says  that  '•'  the  force  of  the  enemy  was  1,200 
cavalry  from  Durango  and  Chihuahua,  with  the  Vera  Cruz  dragoons, 
1,200  infantry  from  Chihuahua,  300  artillerists,  and  1,420  rancheros, 
badly  armed  with  lassoes,  lances,  and  machctoes,  or  corn  knives." 


314  FORTIFICATIONS. 

miles  from  the  Rio  Sacramento,  a  branch  of  the  Rio 
Conjos,  one  of  the  tributaries  of  the  Rio  Grande,  the 
country  begins  to  slope  gently  down  to  that  stream. 
The  position  occupied  by  the  Mexicans  was  upon  an 
elevated  plain,  in  the  centre  of  a  peninsula  formed  by 
the  Arroyo  Scco  and  Arroyo  Sacramento,  the  two  prin 
cipal  branches  of  the  Rio  Sacramento,  which  have  their 
rise  in  the  mountains  on  the  right  of  the  valley,  at  this 
point  nearly  four  miles  wide,  and  cross  it  in  an  easterly 
direction  nearly  parallel  to  each  other.  The  Arroyo 
Seco,on  the  north,  inclines  to  the  south  when  it  reaches 
the  eastern  range  of  mountains,  and,  uniting  with  the 
Arroyo  Sacramento,  they  together  form  the  main  river. 
The  road  to  Chihuahua  crosses  this  peninsula  from  north 
to  south  ;  on  its  left  the  plain  rises  abruptly  in  a  bench, 
fifty  feet  high,  sloping  upwards  from  every  side  towards 
the  north-east  corner,  where  it  culminates  in  a  rocky 
knoll  called  the  Cerro  Frigolis,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  above  the  plain ;  but  on  the  right  it  is  smooth  and 
unbroken,  descending  gradually  from  the  hilly  bench, 
along  the  base  of  which  the  road  passes.  On  the 
southern  bank  of  the  Arroyo  Sacramento  there  is  a 
range  of  sierras,  separated  by  deep  gullies,  and  forming 
right  angles  with  the  course  of  the  stream.  The  east 
ernmost  ridge  is  the  Cerro  Sacramento,  which  rises  on 
the  right  of  the  road,  just  in  rear  of  the  rancho  Sacra 
mento.  Below  the  Cerro  Sacramento  on  the  east  is  tht 
valley  of  the  Rio  Sacramento,  about  one  mile  wide 
through  which  winds  the  road  to  Chihuahua. 

Upon  the  Cerro  Frigolis,  was  a  redoubt  and  battery, 
with  a  stone  wall,  and  abattis  in  its  rear,  extending  across 
the  bed  of  the  Arroyo  Seco  to  the  mountains  on  the  op 
posite  bank.  Seven  hundred  yards  west  of  the  Cerro 
Frigolis  there  was  another  redoubt.  There  was  a  re- 


APPROACH    OF    THE    AMERICANS.  315 

doubt  also  at  the  north-west  corner,  and  one  at  tho 
south-west  corner  of  the  bench  on  the  left  of  the  road, 
with  three  other  redoubts  at  intervals  between  them. 
Near  the  ford  of  the  Arroyo  Sacramento  was  a  stone 
caral,  or  inclosure,  surrounding  a  spring.  The  caral 
and  the  redoubts  were  all  connected,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  short  intervals,  by  breastworks  of  stone  and 
trenches  for  the  protection  of  infantry,  thus  forming  an 
unbroken  line  of  fortifications,  overlooking  and  com 
manding  the  gorge  of  the  Arroyo  Seco,  and  the  road 
across  the  peninsula  throughout  its  whole  extent.  On 
the  Cerro  Sacramento  there  was  a  strong  battery,  which 
commanded  the  road  as  it  approached  the  ford  below  it. 
About  three  miles  west  of  the  ford,  on  the  Arroyo  Sa 
cramento,  was  the  hacienda  of  Torreon,  from  which 
another  road  led  through  a  canon  in  the  mountains  to 
the  main  route  to  Chihuahua. 

Colonel  Doniphan  left  Sauz  with  his  command  at  sun 
rise,  on  the  28th  of  February.  The  teamsters  were 
armed,  and  placed  under  the  orders  of  Major  Owens,  one 
of  the  traders,  under  whose  direction  the  wagons  were 
arranged  in  four  parallel  lines,  with  intervals  of  fifty 
feet.  The  artillery  marched  in  the  interval  of  the 
centre;  and  the  remainder  of  the  troops,  except  two 
hundred  cavalry  proper,  who  were  in  the  advance, 
marched  in  the  intervals  on  the  right  and  left.  By  this 
means  the  strength  of  the  force  was  concealed,  and  its 
position  masked.*  On  arriving  within  three  miles  of 
the  enemy's  fortifications,  a  reconnaissance  was  made 
by  Major  Clark,  who  discovered  that  the  Mexican  in 
fantry  occupied  the  batteries  and  redoubts,  and  that  the 
cavalry  were  drawn  up  in  front.  The  column  now  con- 

*  Another  object  of  this  arrangement  was,  to  have  the  wagons  serve 
M  a  breastwork  to  the  troops  in  case  of  an  attack. 


316        STORMING  THE  INTRENCHMENTS. 

tinued  its  course  along  the  road  about  a  mile  and  a  half, 
and  the  cavalry  still  further,  when  they  suddenly  di 
verged  to  the  right,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  the  level 
portion  of  the  plain  fronting  the  position  of  the  Mexi 
cans  on  the  west.  The  movement  was  soon  perceived 
by  the  enemy,  and  General  Conde  advanced  with  a 
body  of  cavalry,  masking  four  pieces  of  artillery,  to 
prevent  the  Americans  from  gaining  the  elevation. 
The  manoeuvre  was  executed  too  rapidly  to  render  that 
possible,  and  Colonel  Doniphan  formed  his  men,  and  the 
advance  column  of  the  wagons  was  caralled  before  the 
enemy  came  within  reach  of  his  guns. 

The  Americans  were  all  dismounted,  except  three 
companies,  under  Captains  Reid,  Parsons,  and  Hudson. 
Major  Clark  occupied  the  centre  with  his  artillery  ;  the 
first  battalion  on  the  right  was  commanded  by  Lieuten 
ant  Colonels  Mitchell  and  Jackson,  and  the  second  bat 
talion,  on  the  left,  by  Major  Gilpin.  The  action  was 
commenced  about  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  by  a 
brisk  fire  from  the  American  battery,  which  was  re 
turned  by  the  enemy.  At  the  third  discharge  the  Mex 
ican  lancers  gave  way,  and  retired  behind  the  redoubts 
with  their  artillery,  having  lost  several  men  killed  and 
a  number  wounded.  Anxious  to  improve  the  advan 
tage  gained,  Colonel  Doniphan  ordered  a  charge  upon 
the  enemy's  line  of  intrenchments  and  batteries.  At 
the  word,  his  men  sprang  forward  with  cheers  and 
shouts.  Captain  Weightman  advanced  with  the  how 
itzers  at  full  speed,*  upon  the  redoubts  at  the  south- 

*  A  statement  has  been  extensively  circulated  by  the  public  press,  to 
the  effe-t  that  the  American  artillery  at  the  battle  of  Sacramento  was 
drawn  by  oxen.  This  is  entirely  erroneous.  Four  of  the  carriages  were 
drawn  by  American  horses,  and  the  remaining  carriages  and  caissons 
by  mules  obtained  in  the  country.— Official  report  of  Major  Clark,  March 
2nd,  1847. 


FLIGHT    OF    THE    MEXICANS.  317 

west  corner  of  the  bench,  supported  by  the  cavalry 
under  Captains  Reid,  Parsons,  and  Hudson  ;  Major 
Clark  followed  the  movement  as  fast  as  practicable  a 
little  further  to  the  left ;  and  the  remainder  of  the  troops 
dashed  rapidly  forward  on  foot.  While  they  were  ad 
vancing,  the  enemy's  cavalry  were  twice  rallied  for  a 
charge  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  wagons  following  in 
the  rear  of  the  American  line,  but  they  were  easily  dis 
persed  by  the  fire  of  Major  Clark's  guns.  Captain 
Weightman  unlimbered  his  pieces  within  fifty  yards  of 
the  redoubts,  and  the  cavalry  and  infantry  rushing  boldly 
up  to  the  breastworks,  drove  the  enemy  before  them 
with  their  sabres  and  rifles. 

As  the  Americans  entered  the  line  of  intrenchments 
east  of  the  road,  a  warmer  and  more  effective  fire  was 
opened  from  the  battery  on  the  height  of  Cerro  Sacra 
mento,  which  had  been  constantly  playing  upon  them, 
and  where  a  large  body  of  Mexicans  had  now  rallied. 
Major  Clark  promptly  placed  his  pieces  in  position,  in 
the  redoubt  at  the  south-west  corner  of  the  bench, 
twelve  hundred  yards  distant,  and  in  a  short  time  si 
lenced  the  enemy's  guns.  Meanwhile  Lieutenant  Col 
onels  Mitchell  and  Jackson,  with  the  first  battalion 
remounted,  and  Captain  Weightman's  howitzers,  had 
bravely  charged  up  the  hill,  followed  by  Major  Gil  pin 
with  the  second  battalion  on  foot.  Before  they  reached 
the  battery  the  enemy  had  abandoned  it,  and  their  en 
tire  force  was  scattered  in  flight.  The  cavalry  and  the 
howitzers  immediately  pushed  forward  in  hot  pursuit. 
The  road  was  strewed  with  the  arms  and  accoutre 
ments  which  the  Mexican  soldiers  had  thrown  down  as 
they  hurried  towards  Chihuahua.  Governor  Trias  was 
among  the  first  to  reach  the  city,  and  the  seat  of  gov 
ernment  was  instantly  ordered  to  be  removed  to  Parral. 


318  CAPTURE    OF    CHIHUAHUA. 

Night  put  an  end  to  the  carnage.  The  enemy  lost  all 
their  artillery,  ten  wagons,  and  large  quantities  of  pro 
visions  ;  they  had  three  hundred  killed,  about  the  same 
number  wounded,  and  there  were  forty  taken  prisoners. 
Several  national  and  regimental  standards  were  also 
captured,  and  among  the  colors  was  the  black  flag  ex 
hibited  at  the  Bracito.  Colonel  Doniphan  had  but  one 
man  killed,  and  eight  wounded,  some  of  them  mortally.* 

The  way  was  now  opened  to  Chihuahua,  and  on  the 
1st  of  March  Colonel  Doniphan  took  formal  possession 
of  it  in  the  name  of  his  government.  This  city  was 
the  residence  of  the  Captains-general  of  the  internal 
provinces,  under  the  vice-regal  government  of  Spain, 
and  is  pleasantly  situated  on  a  branch  of  the  Rio  Con- 
jos,  in  the  centre  of  the  rich  mining  district  in  northern 
Mexico.  It  contains  about  thirty  thousand  inhabitants, 
and  is  surrounded  by  a  fertile  country,  disfigured  but 
slightly  by  occasional  piles  of  scoriae  and  basaltes.  On 
entering  the  town  the  American  soldiers  took  up  their 
quarters  in  the  Plaza  de  Toros,  in  front  of  which  was 
the  Alameda.  Here,  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  luxuries 
and  hospitalities  which  almost  caused  them  to  forget  the 
hardships  they  had  endured,  they  remained  for  several 
weeks,  without  the  occurrence  of  any  incident  of  ex 
traordinary  moment. 

On  the  5th  of  April  the  artillery,  and  one  battalion 
of  the  1st  Missouri,  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Parral, 
where  Governor  Trias  had  established  his  government ; 
but,  on  the  third  day  out,  the  detachment  learned  that 
his  excellency  had  again  fled  in  alarm,  and  they  there 
fore  returned  to  head-quarters.  Colonel  Doniphan  was 
not  desirous  of  remaining  any  longer  as  a  wagon  guard 

*  Major  Owens  accompanied  Captain  Reid  in  the  charge,  and  wa» 
killed  in  storming  the  enemy's  redoubt*. 


ROUTE    TO    MONTEREY.  319 

for  the  traders,  and  he  saw  that  his  men  would  eventu 
ally  be  ruined  by  improper  indulgences  if  they  remained 
at  Chihuahua.  Most  of  his  officers  preferred  staying 
in  that  city ;  but  he  determined  to  send  a  party  of  twelve 
men  to  General  Taylor  for  orders.*  They  returned,  on 
the  24th  instant,  with  instructions  to  join  the  latter  forth 
with,  by  the  \vay  of  Parras,  Buena  Vista,  and  Saltillo. 
Preceded  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Mitchell  with  his 
escort,  the  Americans  left  Chihuahua  on  the  25th  of 
April,  1847,  still  accompanied  by  the  traders.  Again 
traversing  the  weary  jornadas  on  their  route,  and  pass 
ing  through  the  dismal  muskeet  forests  of  Mapimi,  they 
arrived  at  the  rancho  of  El  Paso,  four  hundred  and 
nine  miles  from  Chihuahua,  and  two  hundred  and  seven 
miles  from  Monterey,  on  the  13th  of  May.  Near  this 
place  a  most  gallant  exploit  was  performed  by  Captain 
Reid,  and  a  party  of  officers  and  men,  about  twenty- 
five  in  number,  belonging  to  Colonel  Doniphan's  com 
mand.  At  the  request  of  the  owner  of  the  rancho,  who 
furnished  the  party  with  horses,  they  attacked  a  band 
of  sixty  Lipan  warriors,  a  branch  of  the  Camanches, 

*  "  While  we  were  in  the  city,  [Chihuahua]  a  council  of  war  was 
called.  We  had  expected  to  have  here  met  and  joined  General  Wool ; 
however,  we  had  done  our  work  without  him  ;  but  what  course  were 
we  now  to  take  1  for  there  was  danger  at  all  points  !  A  few  of  the  offi 
cers  proposed  staying  in  Chihuahua,  others  were  for  trying  to  join  Gen 
eral  Taylor,  and  some  suggested  a  retrograde  march  to  Santa  Fe  ;  most, 
however,  were  in  favor  of  pressing  home  by  way  of  Monterey.  No  ul 
timate  decision  was  at  that  time  had ;  but  a  short  time  afterwards,  an 
other  council  was  held,  and,  at  this  time,  most  of  the  officers  were  for  re 
maining  in  quarters.  Doniphan  heard  them  for  some  time,  but  with  im 
patience,  and  at  last,  bringing  his  heavy  fist  down  on  the  table,  he  gave 
the  board  to  understand  thut,  they  might  possibly  have  found  fair  reasons 
for  staying;  'But,  gentlemen,'  added  the  Colonel,  '  Pm  for  going  /wme 
to  Sarah  and  the  children  f  The  reader  may  be  assured  that  we  caught 
up  these  words,  and  often  afterwards  spoke  of  going  home  to  Sarah  and 
the  children." — Edwards'  Campaign  in  Xew  Mexico. 

16 


320  RETURN     HOME. 

who  had  been  prowling  for  several  days  in  the  vicinity 
killed  a  number  of  the  savages,  rescued  eighteen  Mex 
ican  captives,  and  recaptured  considerable  plundered 
property.  This  act  did  not  go  unrewarded, — the  pro 
prietor  of  El  Paso  presented  each  one  of  the  party  with 
the  horse  which  he  had  rode,  and  the  prefect  of  the  de 
partment  of  Parras  gave  Captain  Reid  an  official  ac 
knowledgment  of  the  gratitude  and  thanks  of  his  fellow 


o 

citizens. 


In  the  tattered  uniforms  which  they  had  worn  from 
St.  Louis  and  Fort  Leavenworth,  Colonel  Doniphan 
and  his  men  presented  themselves  before  General  Tay 
lor,  in  his  encampment  at  Walnut  Springs,  on  the  26th 
of  May.  They  were  very  desirous  of  seeing  a  little 
more  service  under  his  immediate  command,  but  he  was 
unable  to  gratify  their  wishes.*  Leaving  the  artillery 
which  they  had  brought  from  Santa  Fe,  and  taking  with 
them  the  captured  guns,  they  marched  to  the  Brazos, 
where  they  embarked  for  New  Orleans.  At  this  city 
they  were  mustered  out  of  service,  and  returned  to 
their  homes  in  Missouri ;  having  travelled,  during  their 
absence,  more  than  five  thousand  miles ;  nearly  two 
thousand  miles  more  than  the  famous  march  of  Xeno- 
phon  and  the  Greeks  in  their  retreat  from  Asia,  the 
record  of  which,  written  by  the  same  skilful  hand  which 
pointed  out  the  route,  has  survived  the  ravages  of  so 
many  centuries. 

*  The  sobriquet  of '  Rough  and  Ready*  has  Jong  been  familiarly  given 
to  General  Taylor.     Colonel  Doniphan's  men  thought  they  could  make 
the  alliteration  more  completely  applying  it,  with  a  trifling  addition,  to 
themselves;  for  they  might  justly  be  considered,  Rough,  Ready,  and* 
Ragged ! 


CHAPTER  XI. 

REVOLT    IN    NEW    MEXICO. 

Disaffection  among  the  inhabitants  of  New  Mexico — Murder  of  Gover 
nor  Bent  and  others — March  of  Colonel  Price — Defeat  of  the  enemy 
at  Canada — Affair  at  Moro — The  Pass  of  Embudo — Storming  of  Pu- 
ebla  de  Taos — Suppression  of  the  Revolt — Depredations  in  the  valley 
of  the  Moro — Skirmishes  with  the  Marauders— Quiet  restored  in  the 
Province. 

SANTA  FE  came  very  near  proving  a  Capua  to  the 
American  soldiers.  Colonel  Price,*  of  the  2nd  Mis 
souri  mounted  volunteers,  who  remained  in  command 
of  the  troops  in  that  quarter,  does  not  appear  to  have 
been  a  martinet  in  discipline,  although  he  certainly  dis 
played  both  ability  and  energy  as  an  officer  in  the  field. 
Relaxation  and  excess  were  more  frequently  witnessed 
than  subordination  and  good  order,  and  the  wholesome 
restraints  imposed  by  General  Kearny  were,  one  by 
one,  disregarded.  During  the  fall  of  1846,  and  the  en 
suing  winter,  the  soldiers  were  employed  in  the  con 
struction  of  a  fort  on  a  high  hill  commanding  the  town 
and  the  surrounding  country,  which  was  named  Fort 
Marcy,  in  honor  of  the  head  of  the  War  Department. 
There  was  a  great  deal  of  leisure  time, however,  neither 
wisely  nor  profitably  spent ;  and  many  of  them  fell  vic 
tims  to  diseases  engendered  by  unreasonable  indul 
gences,  and  the  unfriendliness  of  the  climate. 

*  Colonel  Price  was  appointed  a  brigadier  general  of  volunteers,  July 
20th,  1847. 


MURDER  OP  GOVERNOR  BENT. 

Frequent  altercations  occurred  between  the  Mexican 
inhabitants  and  the  soldiers  ;  the  former  were  naturally 
jealous  of  foreign  interference  ;  many  of  the  disbanded 
troops  of  Governor  Armijo  lingered  in  the  vicinity  of 
Santa  Fe,  in  readiness  for  employment,  if  an  opportu 
nity  was  presented  ;  the  civil  officers  who  had  been  dis 
placed,  viewed  their  successors,  appointed  under  the 
newly-established  government,  with  emotions  of  hatred 
and  ill  will  ;  the  Puebla  Indians  were  violently  hostile 
to  the  Americans  ;  and  the  most  prominent  and  influ 
ential  citizens  in  the  province  labored  to  foment  the 
disaffection  rapidly  gaining  ground.  About  the  15th 
of  December,  Colonel  Price  was  informed  that  an  in 
surrectionary  movement  was  in  contemplation.  Sev 
eral  persons  supposed  to  be  implicated  \vere  arrested, 
and  an  investigation  was  had,  in  the  course  of  which 
it  appeared  that  a  plan  had  been  formed  for  a  general 
rising  on  Christmas  eve.  The  principal  leaders  in  the 
affair,  Ortiz  and  Archuleta,  escaped  in  the  direction  of 
Chihuahua,*  the  project  was  further  frustrated  by  the 
arrests  which  had  been  made,  and  in  a  few  days  the 
alarm  entirely  subsided. 

Subsequent  events  showed  that  the  revolt  was  not 
effectually  suppressed.  On  the  14th  of  January,  1847, 
Governor  Bent  left  Santa  Fe  for  San  Fernando  de  Taos, 
accompanied  by  a  number  of  civil  officers.  In  the  night 
of  the  19th  instant,  the  governor,  the  sheriff,  the  dis 
trict  attorney,  and  three  other  persons,  were  seized  by 
a  band  of  Mexicans  and  Puebla  Indians,  and  put  to 
death  in  the  most  inhuman  manner.f  On  the  same  day 

*  The  individuals  concerned  in  the  revolt  in  New  Mexico  anticipated 
aid  from  Chihuahua,  but  the  defeat  of  the  Mexican  force  at  Bracito,  by 
Colonel  Doniphan,  prevented  their  receiving  any  assistance. 

|  It  i»  suggested,  in  Edwards'  Campaign  in  New  Mexico,  (p.  103,) 


THE  INSURRECTION.  323 

seven  Americans  were  murdered  at  Arroyo  Hondo, 
eight  miles  from  Taos,  in  the  valley  of  the  Moro,  and 
two  others  on  the  Rio  Colorado  ;  and  on  the  20th  in 
stant,  eight  or  nine  persons  were  killed  at  the  upper 
Moro.  The  leaders  of  the  insurrection  were  Tafoya, 
Pablo  Chavis,  Pablo  Montoya,  Cortes  and  Tomas,  a 
Puebla  Indian ;  and  their  main  object  seemed  to  be,  to 
cut  off  every  American  and  Mexican  who  had  accepted 
office  under  the  new  government.  This  movement  was 
confined  to  the  northern  part  of  New  Mexico,  but  the 
disaffected  from  other  quarters,  to  some  extent,  partici 
pated  in  it.  Intelligence  of  the  murders  committed  by 
the  revolters  reached  Santa  Fe  on  the  20th  of  January, 
and  circulars  were  also  intercepted,  written  by  them, 
calling  upon  the  inhabitants  along  the  Rio  Abajo  for 
aid.  All  the  towns  in  the  valley  of  the  Moro  declared 
in  favor  of  the  insurrection,  except  Qucoloti  and  Las 
Vegas — an  attempt  to  excite  the  population  of  the  latter 
being  defeated  by  the  timely  presence  of  Captain  Hend- 
ley,  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Willock's  battalion,  with  a 
portion  of  his  grazing  detachment.  It  was  now  ascer 
tained  that  the  enemy  designed  to  advance  upon  the 
capital  of  the  province,  as  soon  as  they  had  concen 
trated  their  forces,  which  were  coming  together  as  fast 
as  possible.  The  garrison  of  Santa  Fe  was  consider 
ably  reduced,  in  consequence  of  a  number  of  the 
mounted  men  having  been  sent  off  in  different  direc- 

that  the  murder  of  Governor  Bent  was  instigated  entirely  by  his  wife, 
a  Spanish  woman,  from  whom  he  had  for  some  time  been  separated,  and 
who  was  concerned  in  the  insurrectionary  movement.  She  may  have 
connected  herself  with  the  revolt,  for  the  purpose  of  gratifying  her  pri 
vate  malice;  yet  it  is  hardly  to  be  supposed,  that  the  head  of  the  govern 
ment  would  have  been  overbooked,  when  so  many  were  murdered  who 
occupied  subordinate  stations.  Nor  is  it  at  all  probable,  that  they  were 
put  to  death,  because  of  their  temporary  association  with  him. 


324  MARCH    OF    COLONEL    PRICE. 

tions  to  graze  their  horses  ;  but  Colonel  Price  immedi 
ately  dispatched  orders  to  Major  Edmonson,  at  Albu 
querque,  to  return  to  head-quarters  with  the  detachment 
of  the  2nd  Missouri  under  his  command,  and  to  Cap 
tain  Burgwin,  commanding  a  squadron  of  the  1st  reg 
ular  dragoons,  stationed  at  the  same  place,  to  join  him 
with  one  troop,  arid  to  leave  the  other  at  Santa  Fe. 
.Having  made  these  preparations  for  securing  the  post, 
and  leaving  Lieutenant  Colonel  Willock,of  the  separate 
battalion  of  Missouri  mounted  volunteers,  in  charge, 
Colonel  Price  marched  to  the  north  to  suppress  the  re 
volt,  on  the  morning  of  the  23rd  of  January,  at  the  head 
of  five  companies  of  the  2nd  Missouri,  Captain  Ang- 
ney's  battalion  of  infantry,  and  a  company  of  Santa  Fe 
volunteers  commanded  by  Captain  St.  Vrain,  in  all  353 
men,  together  with  four  twelve-pounder  mountain  how 
itzers,  under  Lieutenant  Dyer  of  the  ordnance. 

The  company  under  Captain  St.  Vrain,  who  were 
alone  mounted,  moved  in  the  advance,  and  early  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  24th  instant  the  enemy  were  discovered, 
about  1,500  strong,  occupying  an  advantageous  position 
upon  the  heights  east  of  the  town  of  Canada,  situated 
on  a  small  branch  of  the  Rio  Grande,  which  commanded 
the  road  to  that  place.  They  were  also  in  possession 
of  three  houses  at  the  bases  of  the  hills,  from  which  a 
warm  fire  was  kept  up.  The  howitzers  were  at  once 
pushed  forward  on  the  left  flank  beyond  the  creek,  and 
opened  on  the  houses,  while  the  dismounted  men  en 
deavored  to  gain  a  position  where  they  would  be  shel 
tered  by  the  high  bluff  bank  of  the  stream  from  the  fire 
of  the  Mexican  force.  The  troops  had  advanced  with 
so  much  rapidity,  when  the  word  was  passed  that  the 
enemy  were  in  front,  that  the  wagon-train  was  left 
nearly  a  mile  in  the  rear.  Upon  discovering  this,  the 


DEFEAT    OF    THE    ENEMY    AT    CANADA.  325 

jnemy  detached  a  party  to  cut  it  off,  but  the  manoeuvre 
was  quickly  checked  by  Captain  St.  Vrain,  with  his 
company.  -When  the  train  came  up,  Captain  Angney 
dislodged  the  Mexicans  from  the  house  opposite  the 
right  flank  with  his  battalion  of  infantry,  and  a  general 
charge  was  then  ordered.  Captain  Angney,  supported 
by  two  companies  of  the  2nd  Missouri,  moved  up  one 
hill,  and  at  the  same  time  Captain  St.  Vrain  was  ordered 
to  fetch  a  circuit  with  the  horse,  and  turn  it,  in  order  to 
intercept  the  retreat  of  the  enemy.  The  artillery,  sup 
ported  by  the  remaining  three  companies  of  the  2nd 
'Missouri,  took  possession  of  some  houses  further  to  the 
left,  inclosed  by  a  strong  caral  densely  wooded  with 
fruit-trees,  and  of  the  heights  beyond  them.  In  a  very 
few  minutes  the  enemy  were  dislodged  at  all  points,  and 
flying  over  the  hills. 

The  broken  character  of  the  ground  rendered  a  pur 
suit  impossible,  and  Colonel  Price  took  up  his  quarters 
in  the  town.  In  the  morning  the  enemy  again  showed 
themselves  on  the  distant  heights,  and  he  marched  out 
to  attack  them,  but  they  retreated  so  hastily  that  they 
could  not  be  overtaken.  The  American  loss  in  the 
affair  at  Canada  was  two  killed  and  six  wounded ;  that 
of  the  enemy,  was  thirty-six  killed  and  forty-five 
wounded. 

Although  the  attempted  outbreak  at  Las  Vegas, 
seventy-five  miles  north  of  Santa  Fe,  on  the  road  to 
Independence,  was  prevented  by  the  prompt  interfer 
ence  of  Captain  Hendley,  he  thought  it  advisable  to 
concentrate  his  force  at  that  point,  and  the  various  par 
ties  of  his  grazing  detachment  were  ordered  to  join  him 
forthwith.  On  the  23rd  of  January  he  learned  the  par 
ticulars  of  the  murderous  transaction  at  Moro  on  the 
20th  instant,  and  in  the  morning  of  the  following  day 


326  THE    PASS    OF    EMBUDO. 

he  started  for  that  place  with  80  men.  One  hundred 
and  fifty  or  two  hundred  of  the  enemy  had  assembled 
here  under  the  lead  of  Cortes,  and  on  approaching  the 
town  Captain  Hendley  ordered  his  men  to  charge  upon 
them.  The  Mexicans  fired  two  or  three  volleys,  and 
retreated  to  their  rude  fort.  The  Americans  returned 
their  fire  for  some  time,  and  then  commenced  burning 
and  tearing  down  the  houses.  Captain  Hendley  had 
just  succeeded  in  getting  into  one  end  of  the  fort  with 
several  of  his  men,  when  he  fell  mortally  wounded.  It 
was  now  getting  late,  and  the  Americans  feared  that  a 
party  of  between  three  and  five  hundred  men,  who,  it 
was  said,  had  left  Moro  that  morning  for  Santa  Fe 
might  return  ;  they  therefore  concluded  to  retire  to  Las 
Vegas,  taking  with  them  fifteen  Mexican  prisoners. 
They  had  three  men  wounded, besides  their  commander, 
and  they  killed  fifteen  of  the  enemy.  The  whole  de 
tachment  being  collected,  they  soon  after  returned  to 
Santa  Fe. 

Colonel  Price  remained  at  Canada  until  the  27th  of 
January,  when  he  advanced  up  the  Rio  Grande  as  far  as 
Luceros,  where  he  was  joined  on  the  28th  by  Captain 
Burgwin,  with  his  company  of  the  1st  dragoons  dis 
mounted,  and  another  company  of  the  2nd  Missouri. 
Lieutenant  Wilson,  of  the  1st  dragoons,  also  came  up 
with  a  six-pounder  gun  which  had  been  sent  for  from  Can 
ada.  The  whole  force  now  consisted  of  479  rank  and  file, 
and  on  the  29th  they  marched  to  La  Joya,  where  they 
learned  that  a  party  of  sixty  or  eighty  Mexicans  had 
posted  themselves  on  the  steep  slopes  of  the  mountains 
on  either  side  of  the  Canon  leading  to  Embudo.  Find 
ing  that  the  road  through  the  gorge  was  impracticable 
for  artillery  or  wagons,  Captain  Burgwin  was  detached 
with  a  party  of  180  men,  consisting  of  his  company  of 


ROUT    OF    THE    MEXICANS.  327 

dragoons,  the  volunteer  company  of  Captain  St.  Vrain, 
and  one  company  of  the  2nd  Missouri  under  Lieutenant 
White,  to  dislodge  the  enemy. 

Pushing  rapidly  forward,  Captain  Burgwin  found  be 
tween  six  and  seven  hundred  of  the  enemy,  Mexicans 
and  Indians,  occupying  both  sides  of  the  gorge,  at  a 
point  where  it 'scarcely  admitted  of  the  passage  of  three 
men  marching  abreast.  They  were  likewise  protected 
by  dense  masses  of  rock,  and  the  bushy  cedars  cover 
ing  the  hills,  whose  sides  were  so  precipitous  as  to  be 
almost  impossible  of  ascent.  Flanking  parties  were 
thrown  out  on  either  hand,  and  the  Americans  advanced 
boldly  upon  the  enemy,  springing  up  the  rugged  accliv 
ity,  and  clinging  with  one  hand  to  the  branches  of  the 
trees,  as  with  the  other  they  fired  the  rifles  whose  un 
erring  balls  hurtled  through  the  pass.  During  the  action 
Captain  Slack,  of  the  2nd  Missouri,  arrived  from  La 
Joya,  where  the  firing  had  been  heard,  with  twenty-five 
of  his  men  mounted,  the  horses  of  this  company  having 
joined  them  at  Canada.  A  more  vigorous  onset  was 
now  made,  when  the  Mexicans  abandoned  their  position 
and  retreated  in  haste  beyond  Embudo,  with  the  loss 
of  twenty  men  killed  and  sixty  wounded.  The  Amer 
icans  lost  one  man  killed  and  one  wounded.  Captain 
Burgwin  entered  the  town  without  opposition,  and  on 
the  30th  instant  proceeded  to  Trampas,  where  he 
awaited  the  arrival  of  the  main  body. 

Colonel  Price  left  Trampas  on  the  31st  of  January, 
with  his  whole  command.  Crossing  over  the  Taos 
mountain,  through  roads  filled  with  new-fallen  snow — 
the  soldiers  marching  in  front  of  the  artillery  and  wagons, 
with  unwearied  patience  and  constancy,  in  order  to 
Dreak  the  way,  and  many  of  them  being  frost-bitten  on 
the  route, — they  entered  San  Fernando  de  Taos  on  the 


328  PUEBLA    DE    TAGS. 

3rd  of  February.  At  this  place  they  ascertained  that 
about  seven  hundred  of  the  enemy  were  posted  in  Pu- 
ebla  de  Taos,  a  short  distance  in  the  advance.  This 
was  a  strongly  fortified  Indian  village,  surrounded  by 
adobe  walls  and  pickets,  flanked  by  projecting  buildings.* 
Within  the  inclosure,and  near  the  northern  and  south 
ern  walls,  there  were  two  large  structures  of  an  irreg 
ular  pyramidal  form,  and  seven  or  eight  stories  in  height, 
each  capable  of  sheltering  five  or  six  hundred  men.  In 
addition  to  these,  there  were  a  number  of  smaller  build 
ings,  and  in  the  north-western  angle  there  was  a  large 
church,  with  a  narrow  passage  between  it  and  the  outer 
wall.  The  inclosed  buildings  and  the  exterior  walls 
were  pierced  for  rifles. 

A  reconnaissance  was  made,  and  Lieutenant  Dyer 
took  position  with  the  artillery  on  the  western  -side  of 
the  village.  A  warm  fire  was  kept  up  till  sunset,  when, 
as  the  ammunition-wagon  had  not  arrived,  and  the 
troops  were  suffering  from  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
they  returned  to  San  Fernando.  With  the  first  glim 
mering  of  light  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  they  were 
again  in  motion.  On  approaching  the  town,  Captain 
Burgwin  was  stationed  within  two  hundred  and  sixty 
yards  of  the  western  flank  of  the  church,  with  his  com 
pany,  and  two  howitzers,  in  command  of  Lieutenant 
Hassendaubel,  of  Major  Clark's  artillery  battalion.  Lieu 
tenant  Dyer  was  ordered  to  take  post  with  the  six- 
pounder  and  the  remaining  two  howitzers,  about  three 
hundred  yards  from  the  northern  wall,  so  as  to  obtain  a 
cross  fire  upon  the  church,  the  most  feasible  point  of 

*  These  fortified  villages  are  frequently  to  be  met  with  in  the  north 
ern  part  of  Mexico.  They  are  constructed  by  the  half-civilized  Mexican 
Indians,  to  protect  themselves  and  property  against  the  morr  Bavaga 
tribei.  The  adobe  walls  are  formed  of  bricks  dried  in  the  BUD 


STORMING    THE    TOWN. 

attack.  The  mounted  men,  under  Captains  St.  Vrain 
and  Slack,  moved  round  to  the  eastern  side  of  the  town, 
to  intercept  any  fugitives  who  might  attempt  to  escape 
in  that  direction,  and  the  remainder  of  the  troops  were 
directed  to  support  Lieutenant  Dyer.  The  batteries 
opened  at  nine  o'clock,  and  at  the  expiration  of  two 
hours  no  breach  had  been  effected  in  the  walls  of  th 
church.  Orders  were  therefore  given  to  storm  the 
building.  Captain  Burgwin  advanced  on  the  western 
side  with  the  dragoons  and  one  company  of  the  2nd 
Missouri,  while  Captain  Angney  approached  the  north 
ern  wall  with  his  battalion,  and  two  companies  of  the 
2nd  Missouri. 

The  enemy  held  out  manfully,  and  poured  a  terrible 
fire  upon  the  assailants,  who  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
cover  of  the  wall  on  the  western  side  of  the  church. 
As  soon  as  the  Americans  had  established  themselves, 
they  commenced  plying  their  axes  in  the  attempt  to 
effect  a  breach.  A  temporary  ladder  was  also  con 
structed,  by  the  aid  of  which  the  roof  was  fired.  Cap 
tain  Burgwin,  and  a  small  party,  penetrated  into  the 
caral  in  front,  and  endeavored  to  force  the  door  of  the 
church.  They  found  the  attempt  fruitless,  and,  being 
fully  exposed  on  all  sides  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy,  the 
party  were  compelled  to  retire  to  their  former  position, 
carrying  with  them  their  daring  leader  mortally  wounded. 
In  the  meantime  several  holes  had  been  cut  in  the  west 
ern  wall,  through  which  shells  were  thrown  in  by  hand, 
doing  good  execution.  Lieutenant  Wilson  now  came 
round  with  the  six-pounder,  and  poured  a  heavy  fire  of 
grape  into  the  town.  Between  three  and  four  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  the  gun  was  run  up,  and  opened  on  the 
church  within  sixty  yards,  the  enemy  still  continuing 
their  deadly  volleys.  After  firing  several  rounds,  one 


330  CAPITULATION    OF    THE    REVOLTERS. 

of  the  holes  cut  with  the  axes  was  widened  into  a  prac 
ticable  breach.  The  six-pounder  was  further  advanced 
within  ten  yards, — a  shell  and  three  rounds  of  grape 
were  thrown  into  the  opening, — and  ere  the  echoes  had 
died  away,  a  party  of  stormers,  headed  by  Lieutenant 
Dyer,  of  the  ordnance,  and  Lieutenants  Wilson  and 
Taylor,  of  the  1st  dragoons,  sprang  through  the  smoke 
and  falling  ruins  into  the  centre  of  the  church.  The 
enemy  fled  before  them,  and  shortly  after  abandoned 
the  whole  western  part  of  the  town.  Some  took  refuge 
in  the  houses  on  the  east,  and  others  attempted  to  es 
cape  to  the  neighboring  hills,  but  were  cut  down  by 
the  mounted  men  under  Captains  St.  Vrain  and  Slack. 
The  American  troops  were  quietly  quartered  in  the 
houses  on  the  western  side  of  the  village,  during  the 
night  of  the  4th,  and  early  in  the  next  morning  the  aged 
men  and  women  of  the  enemy  appeared  before  Colonel 
Price  as  suppliants,  bearing  their  children,  their  images 
and  crosses,  and  humbly  sued  for  peace.  Their  request 
was  granted  on  condition  that  Tomas,the  Puebla  Indian, 
should  be  delivered  up  to  him.  This  was  done,  and  he 
then  returned  to  San  Fernando  with  his  command.  In 
this  affair  the  Americans  had  seven  killed  and  forty-five 
wounded,  many  of  them  mortally.  One  hundred  and 
fifty  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and  the  number  of  their 
wounded  was  still  greater.  The  prompt  action  of  Col 
onel  Price  put  an  end  to  the  insurrection.  All  the  lead 
ers  of  the  movement,  with  the  exception  of  Cortes,  were 
dead  ;*  and,  although  the  American  forces  remained  for 

*  Tafoya  was  killed  at  Canada;  Chavis  fell  at  Puebla  de  Taos; 
Tomas  was  shot  in  an  altercation  with  a  private  soldier,  in  the  guard 
room  at  San  Fernando  ;  and  Montoya  was  hanged  at  the  latter  place 
en  the  7th  of  February.  It  will  be  recollected  that  General  Kearny 
assumed  to  transfer  the  allegiance  of  the  inhabitants  of  New  Mexico, 
fr<  t  ft  eH  own  government  to  that  of  the  United  States.  If  this  could 


DEPREDATIONS    COMMITTED.  331 

several  days  at  San  Fernando,  they  discovered  no  more 
indications  of  disaffection,  and  therefore  returned  to 
Santa  Fe. 

Symptoms  of  revolt  had  been  manifested  at  the  cap 
ital,  but  the  severe  defeat  sustained  by  the  insurrection 
ists  in  the  north,  prevented  any  attempt  openly  to  resist 
the  authority  of  the  United  States.  A  greater  degree 
of  vigilance  was  afterwards  observed,  and  every  thing 
remained  peaceful  and  quiet  until  the  month  of  May, 
when  bands  of  Mexicans  and  Indians,  many  of  whom 
carne  from  Taos,  were  embodied  in  the  valley  of  the 
Moro,  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the  supply  trains  on 
their  way  from  Fort  Leavenworth,  and  capturing  the 
horses  of  the  grazing  parties  which  Colonel  Price  had 
again  distributed  through  the  country. 

On  the  20th  of  May,  the  camp  of  Captain  Robinson,  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Willock's  battalion,  was  surprised; 
one  man  was  killed  and  two  wounded,  and  over  two 
hundred  horses  and  mules  were  driven  off.  Major  Ed- 
monson,  then  in  command  at  Las  Vegas,  immediately 
started  in  pursuit  with  about  80  men.  Upon  his  arrival 
at  the  Wagon  Mound,  where  Captain  Robinson  was  en 
camped,  he  learned  that  a  wagon-train  had  been  at 
tacked  at  Santa  Clara  springs,  on  the  23rd  instant,  by 
the  same  party  of  marauders,  supposed  to  be  between 
three  and  lour  hundred  strong,  commanded  by  Cortes. 
Following  closely  upon  the  enemy's  trail,  in  the  after- 
have  been  done,  which  it  could  not,  under  the  laws  of  nations,  the  re- 
volters  were  all  guilty  of  treason,  and  the  execution  of  Montoya  would 
therefore  have  been  justifiable.  Colonel  Price  seems  to  have  regarded 
the  matter  in  this  light ;  but  a  few  weeks  later  he  was  advised  that  his 
government  had  disapproved  the  official  acts  of  General  Kearny,  trans 
ferring  the  allegiance  of  Mexican  citizens,  and  an  individual  by  the 
name  of  Trajillo,  then  recently  convicted  of  treason,  was  ordered  to  be 
•et  at  liberty. 


332  SKIRMISHING    WITH    THE    MARAUDERS. 

noon  of  the  26th  he  found  them  posted  in  force,  on  the 
heights  overlooking  a  deep  canon  leading  down  to  the 
Red  River.  A  desultory  and  spirited  contest  ensued, 
which  was  kept  up  till  dark,  when  Major  Edmonson 
withdrew  his  men  to  a  more  open  position,  and  en 
camped  for  the  night.  On  the  following  day  he  re-en 
tered  the  canon,  but  found  it  evacuated.  The  pursuit 
W7as  continued  for  several  miles,  until  the  track  was  lost 
amongst  the  large  herds  of  wild  horses  on  the  plains. 
The  check  was  effectual,  however,  for  the  time ;  the 
enemy  having  lost  forty-one  killed  and  a  large  number 
wounded.  The  Americans  lost  but  one  man  killed  and 
three  slightly  wounded. 

Lieutenant  Brown,  of  the  2nd  Missouri,  left  Las  Ve 
gas  on  the  27th  of  June,  with  two  men  and  a  Mexican 
guide,  in  pursuit  of  some  horses  which  had  been  stolen 
at  that  place.  He  found  the  animals  at  Las  Vallas,  fif 
teen  miles  distant  ;  but,  upon  his  seizing  them,  the  Mex 
icans  murdered  the  whole  party.  On  being  informed 
of  the  massacre,  Major  Edmonson  made  a  forced  march 
from  Las  Vegas  with  sixty  men  and  two  howitzers,  sur 
prised  the  town,  shot  down  a  few  who  attempted  to  es 
cape,  and  took  about  forty  prisoners.  On  the  6th  of 
July  the  camp  of  Captain  Morris,  of  the  separate  Mis 
souri  battalion,  was  attacked  ;  Lieutenant  Larkin  and 
four  men  were  killed,  and  there  \vere  nine  wounded. 
All  the  horses  and  property  were  captured  by  the  ma 
rauders.  A  portion  of  the  detachment  took  shelter  un 
der  the  banks  of  the  Cienega,  near  which  they  had  been 
posted,  and  maintained  their  position  until  the  arrival 
of  Captain  Shepherd  with  his  company,  when  the  enemy 
retired.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Willock,  commanding  at 
Taos,  pursued  them  some  distance,  but  could  not  over 
take  them. 


THE  COUNTRY  GENERALLY  QUIET.        333 

In  July,  there  were  frequent  rumors  of  an  approach 
ing  insurrection,  and  the  troops  were  ordered  to  be  in 
readiness  for  any  emergency.  The  presence  of  an 
additional  force  ordered  to  New  Mexico,  had  the  ten 
dency  to  check  any  movement,  if  one  was  in  contem 
plation.  Occasional  depredations  were  committed  by 
the  Indians,  but  the  Mexicans  busied  themselves  for  the 
most  part  in  securing  their  crops,  and  nothing  of  ex 
traordinary  interest  occurred  during  the  remainder  of 
the  summer,  or  of  the  ensuing  autumn. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

CONTRERAS  AND  CHURUBUSCO. 

Route  from  Puebla — The  Valley  of  Mexico — Fortifications — Turning 
Lake  Chalco—  Affair  at  Oka  Laka — March  of  Major  Lally  from 
Vera  Cruz  to  Jalapa— Arrival  of  the  American  army  at  San  Augustin 
— Attempt  to  reach  the  San  Angel  road — Crossing  the  Pedregal — The 
Night  Bivouac — Storming  the  Intrenchments  at  Contreras — The  En 
emy  driven  from  San  Antonio — Battle  of  Churubusco — The  Victors 
at  the  Gates  of  the  Capital. 

GENERAL  SCOTT  left  Puebla,  in  person,  on  the  8th 
of  August,  and  on  the  same  day  overtook,  and  then 
continued  with,  the  leading  division  under  General 
Twiggs.  The  different  corps  of  his  army  moved  for 
ward,  en  echelon,  being  at  no  time  beyond  five  hours, 
or  supporting  distance,  apart.  The  city  of  Mexico  is 
something  more  than  ninety  miles  from  Puebla.  The 
road  ascends  gradually  through  a  fertile  rolling  coun 
try,  checquered  with  beautiful  gardens  and  hedges  of 
cactus,  with  fields  of  maize  and  plantations  of  the  aloe, 
until  it  reaches  the  tierra  fria,  or  cold  region,  "  the 
third  and  last  of  the  great  natural  terraces  into  which 
the  country  is  divided."*  Here  the  feathery  palm  gives 
place  to  the  evergreen,  and  the  fruits  and  vegetation 
of  the  tropics,  make  room  for  those  usually  found  in 
more  northern  climes.  Leaving  Cholula  to  the  south, 
on  the  third  day  of  their  march  the  Americans  arrived 
at  the  pass  of  Rio  Frio,  ten  thousand  feet  above  the  level 

•  Prescott'*  Conquest  of  Mexico,  vol.  i.  p.  8. 


THE  VALLEY  OF  MEXICO.  335 

of  the  ocean.  Far  away  to  the  north  extended  the 
mountain  crests  of  Anahuac,  and  on  the  other  hand 
rose  the  lofty  peak  of  Iztaccihuatl,  and  still  further  to 
the  left,  and  towering  still  higher  into  the  clouds,  "  the 
great  volcan,"  Popocatepetl, — the  cold  bleak  winds  of 
winter  ever  whistling  about  their  summits,  and  the  gen 
tle  breezes  of  an  unending  summer  sporting  and  playing 
with  the  shrubs  and  flowers  that  blossom  at  their  feet.* 

From  Rio  Frio  the  descent  is  rapid.  Shortly  after 
the  advance  of  the  army  emerged  from  the  pass,  and  on 
turning  an  angle  of  the  mountains,  which  left  their  view 
to  the  westward  entirely  unobstructed,  the  Valley  of 
Mexico  burst  upon  them  like  some  vision  of  enchant 
ment.  Spread  out  before  them,  and  beneath  them,  lay 
the  gorgeous  panorama,  of  hill  and  mountain,  grove  and 
forest,  river  and  lake,  hamlet  and  city, — upon  which 
they  gazed  with  emotions  similar  to  those  with  which 
Hannibal  and  his  followers  looked  down  from  the  Alps, 
over  the  fair  plains  of  Italy ;  or  those  that  animated  the 
mail-clad  warriors  of  Cortes,  when  they  sounded  their 
cheering  war-cry  of  "  San  Jago  and  San  Pedro !" 
through  these  wild  gorges,  or,  flushed  with  victory  and 
conquest,  turned  their  eyes  upon  the  same  glorious 
scenes,  beholding,  "in  the  midst, — like  some  Indian 
empress  with  her  coronal  of  pearls, — the  fair  city  of 
Mexico,  with  her  white  towers  and  pyramidal  temples, 
reposing,  as  it  were,  on  the  bosom  of  the  waters, — the 
far-famed  *  Venice  of  the  Aztecs  !'  "f 

The  Valley  of  Mexico,  or  Tenochtitlan,  as  it  wassailed 

*  These  two  mountains,  in  former  times,  were  looked  upon  by  the 
Indians  as  divinities;  Iztaccihuatl,  "  the  white  woman,"  as  the  name 
signifies,  being  regarded,  according  to  their  superstition,  as  the  wife  of 
Popocatepetl,  or  "  the  hill  that  smokes."  During  the  past  century  the 
latter  has  rarely  been  in  a  state  of  activity. 

f  Prescott's  Conquest  of  Mexico,  vol.  ii.  p.  51. 


BEAUTIFUL    SCENERY. 

by  the  ancient  inhabitants,  in  which  the  capita]  is  situ 
ated,  is  an  irregular,  oval  basin,  about  two  hundred  miles 
in  circumference,  inclosed  by  walls  of  porphyritic  moun 
tains,  and  surrounded  by  some  of  the  highest  peaks  of 
the  Cordilleras.  Lying  in  the  centre  of  the  great  table 
land  of  the  country,  it  is  protected  alike  from  the  fierce 
norte,  and  the  rude  breezes  of  the  east,  by  the  bold 
sierras  that  encircle  it.  Favored  with  a  most  genial 
temperature,  this  sunny  spot  teems  with  the  valuable 
products,  quickened  into  existence  by  the  warm  breath 
of  the  tropics,  and  watered  by  copious  showers  of  rain, 
and  the  torrents  that  gush  forth  from  the  fissures  of 
the  neighboring  clifTs.  Forests  of  oak  and  pecan  trees 
adorn  the  more  elevated  ground.  Here  a  copse  of  syc 
amores,  and  there  a  group  of  tall  cypresses,  fling  their 
broad  shadows  over  the  landscape,  lighted  by  the  rays 
of  the  burning  sun,  or  the  soft  bright  moon.  The 
glossy  leaves  of  the  myrtle  nestle  close  beside  the  pep 
per  tree,  whose  scarlet  berries  cast  a  rich  flush  over  its 
delicate  foliage.  Aromatic  shrubs  load  the  air  with  the 
intoxicating  odors  that  invite  the  senses  to  repose,  and 
an  endless  variety  of  flowers  add  their  gay  and  brilliant 
colors  to  enhance  the  beauty  of  the  scene. 

Just  beneath  the  range  of  mountains  on  the  east,  is 
the  series  of  lakes  which  form  the  most  picturesque  at 
traction  of  the  valley,  looking  up,  like  the  blue  eyes  of 
the  turquoise,  to  the  azure  heavens  above  them,  whose 
glory  they  reflect.  Pretty  gardens  are  scattered  lav 
ishly  around  them,  and  smiling  villages  and  haciendas 
peep  out  in  every  direction  from  the  groves  in  which 
they  are  imbosomed.  But,  conspicuous  above  all,  is 
the  city  of  Mexico, — containing  a  population  of  two 
hundred  thousand  souls — the  most  ancient,  as  it  is  the 
most  splendid  capital  on  the  Western  Continent !  Her 


THE    CHINAMPAS.  337 

white  domes,  her  Gothic  churches,  her  shady  paseos, 
and  her  beautiful  Alameda  ;  her  noble  cathedral,  whose 
fretted  roof,  and  groined  arches,  echo  daily  with  the 
swelling  notes  of  old  Te  Dcurn  ;  and  her  lofty  palaces, 
with  their  sculptured  facades,  and  porticos  embellished 
with  porphyry  and  jasper,  are  the  first  to  attract  atten 
tion — the  first  to  elicit  admiration. 

As  there  is  no  happiness  without  its  alloy,  so  there 
are  patches  covered  with  rocks  of  lava,  or  masses  of 
scoria?,  occasionally  to  be  found  in  this  lovely  valley  ; 
and  now  and  then  a  dark  buttress,  destitute  of  vege 
tation, — save,  perhaps,  a  stray  creeper,  rooted  in  some 
crevice,  and  clambering  up  its  rugged  sides, — may  be 
seen  projecting  from  the  mountains.  Still,  it  may  be 
questioned,  whether  these  do  not,  by  the  very  contrast 
they  exhibit,  serve  to  add  to,  rather  than  diminish,  the 
beauty  that  surrounds  them.  The  chinampas, — those 
floating  wildernesses  of  sweets  and  blossoms,  far  sur- 
pass'ng  the  Alcinas  and  Morganas  of  the  Italian  poets 
— which  dotted  the  lakes  in  the  time  of  the  conquest, 
have  nearly  disappeared.*  The  clearing  away  of  the 
primeval  forests,  too,  and  other  influences  connected 
with  the  improved  condition  of  the  country,  have  caused 
their  waters  to  recede  from  their  original  limits,  and 

*  The  chinampas,  or  floating  gardens,  were  rafts  formed  of  reeds  and 
rushes,  and  the  branches  of  young  trees  woven  firmly  together,  which 
were  covered,  to  the  depth  of  three  or  four  feet,  with  the  alluvial  wash 
of  the  streams,  and  the  black  mould  drawn  up  from  the  bottom  of  the 
shallow  lakes.  Vegetables,  flowers,  and  small  trees,  were  raised  in 
them,  and  sometimes  they  were  capable  of  sustaining  a  hut  for  the  resi 
dence  of  the  gardener.  Although  they  could  be  pushed  through  the 
water  without  much  difficulty,  they  were  usually  moored  near  the  shore 
for  safety.  This  was  certainly  a  rare  device  to  insure  the  presence  of 
sufficient  moisture  to  counteract  the  burning  heat  of  a  tropical  sun. — 
Humboldt's  Essai  Politique,  torn.  ii.  pp.  87.  153. — Murray's  Encyclo 
pedia  of  Geography,  pp.  323-4. 


338  CLUSTER   OF    LAKES. 

some  of  them  are  now  girded  by  barren  strips  of 
land,  covered  with  white  sand,  or  incrusted  salts.* 
Standing  close  beside  them,  they  appear  much  less 
beautiful  than  in  former  days,  but  seen  in  the  distance, 
with  the  sunlight  streaming  over  them,  they  appear 
like  a  cluster  of  rich  jewels  in  a  framework  of  silver. 
The  principal  lakes  in  the  valley  are  five  in  number. 
The  salt  lake,  Tezcuco,  occupies  the  lowest  ground,  near 
the  centre  of  the  basin  ;  separated  from  it  by  a  narrow 
isthmus  on  the  north,  is  San  Christobal,  and  further  to 
the  north-west  is  Lake  Zumpango  ;  between  five  and 
six  miles  south  of  Tezcuco,  is  Xochimilco,  and  near 
the  eastern  extremity  of  the  latter  is  Lake  Chalco.  At 
the  period  of  the  conquest  by  the  Spaniards,  the  city 
of  Mexico  was  entirely  surrounded  by  the  waters  of 
Lake  Tezcuco,  and  connected  with  the  mainland  by 
three  massive  causeways  or  dikes,  which,  at  this  day, 
form  important  avenues  to  the  capital.  For  a  long 
time  it  was  liable  to  frequent  inundations,  when  the 
great  central  reservoir,  which  received  the  surplus  wa 
ters  of  the  other  lakes,  was  swollen  beyond  its  ordinary 
height.  The  elevation  of  the  site  by  the  ruins  of  the 
ancient  dwellings  of  the  Aztecs,  thrown  down  by 
Cortes  during  the  siege, — the  subsidence  of  the  waters 
— the  building  of  embankments  and  sluices, — and  the 
construction  of  the  great  drain  of  Huehuetoca,  in  the 
seventeenth  century, — have  entirely  obviated  the  dan 
ger.  The  plaza  mayor,  or  great  square,  is  now  four 
feet  higher  than  the  average  level  of  Tezcuco ;  but  the 

*  The  waters  of  Lake.  Valentia,  in  the  valley  of  Aragua  in  Venezu 
ela,  similarly  situated  with  those  in  the  vicinity  of  Mexico,  have  subsided 
in  like  manner.  The  same  is  also  true  of  the  lakes  of  Switzerland,  and 
of  those  near  Ubate,  in  New  Granada.  The  reader  will  find  this  sub 
ject, — the  influence  of  agriculture  on  the  quantity  of  running  water  of 
a  country, — discussed,  at  length,  in  Boussingault's  Rural  Economy. 


THE    CAUSEWAYS.  339 

environs  of  the  city,  though  more  or  less  cultivated,  are 
quite  wet  and  marshy,  especially  during  the  rainy  sea 
son,  that  commences  towards  the  latter  part  of  June, 
and  terminates  in  September. 

The  modern  city,*  which  is  over  7,600  feet  above 
the  level  of  the  sea,  lies  about  three  miles  west  of  Lake 
Tezcuco,  and  near  six  miles  from  the  north-western  point 
of  Lake  Xochimilco.  It  is  approached  by  six  great 
roads,  terminating  in  stone  causeways,  from  one  and  a 
half  to  three  miles  in  length.  The  National  Road,  from 
Vera  Cruz,  along  which  the  reader  has  followed  the 
march  of  General  Scott  and  his  army,  skirts  the  south 
ern  shore  of  Tezcuco,  and  enters  the  capital  from  the 
east.  The  Acapulco  road,  which  terminates  in  the 
San  Antonio  causeway,  approaches  it  from  the  south ; 
the  road  from  Toluca, — entering  upon  the  Tacubaya 
causeway,  with  a  lateral  branch  leading  to  the  cause 
way  of  San  Cosme,  from  the  south-west ;  and  the  great 
western,  or  San  Cosme  road,  from  the  west.  The 
other  two  roads  enter  the  city  from  the  north.  Be 
tween  these  principal  roads  are  smaller  ones,  also  ter 
minating  in  causeways,  which  lead  to  the  different  towns 
in  the  valley  and  its  neighborhood. 

Few  soldiers  have  ever  wooed  fortune  for  the  smallest 
of  her  favors,  so  assiduously,  and  with  such  poor  encour 
agement,  as  Santa  Anna,  the  provisional  President  of 
Mexico,  and  General-in-chief  of  her  armies.  His  military 
career,  subsequent  to  the  overthrow  of  the  federal  consti 
tution,  presents  but  a  series  of  disasters ;  yet,  in  the  midst 
of  his  reverses,  he  seems  never  to  have  been  absolutely 
discouraged  or  disheartened.  With  the  recollections  of 
Angostura  and  Cerro  Gordo  fresh  in  his  remembrance,  he 

*  Mexico  was  rebuilt  by  Cort6s,  on  the  site  of  the  ancient  capital  of 
the  Aztec* 


340  FORTIFICATIONS. 

still  hoped  for  the  best.  A  majority  of  his  countrymen 
appeared  to  be  with  him,  heart  and  hand  ;*  the  clergy, 
who  possessed  the  means,  contributed  from  their  vast 
wealth  for  the  national  protection ;  new  levies  were 
made,  and  large  numbers  of  citizens  enrolled  in  the  Na 
tional  Guard ;  and  he  never  suffered  his  energies  to  relax, 
nor  his  spirits  to  be  dampened,  after  the  avowal  of  his  de 
termination  to  prosecute  the  war  to  the  uttermost.  One 
triumph, — one  repulse, — but  a  single  check  given  to 
the  unbroken  tide  of  victories  sweeping  in  advance  of 
General  Scott,  as  he  progressed  towards  the  capital, — 
would  be  sufficient  to  place  him  on  that  proud  pinnacle 
of  power  to  which  his  aspirations  were  directed,  and 
enable  him,  and  those  whom  he  served,  to  proffer,  in 
stead  of  accepting,  terms  of  peace  to  the  enemy,  with 
out  humiliation,  and  without  dishonor. 

Early  in  the  month  of  August,  1847,  Mexico  was 
placed  in  a  tolerable  condition  of  defence.  The  main 
avenues  leading  to  the  city,  on  the  south  and  east,  by 
one  or  other  of  which  it  was  supposed  the  American 
army  would  approach,  were  strongly  guarded.  Sweep 
ing  away^  in  a  wide  semicircle,  from  the  southern 
border  of  Lake  Tezcuco  to  the  western  mountains,  a 
chain  of  bristling  fortifications  met  the  eye.  About 
seven  miles  from  the  capital,  in  a  south-easterly  direc 
tion,  is  El  Penon,  an  isolated  hill,  three  hundred  feet 
high,  having  three  plateaus  of  different  elevations,  each 
of  which  was  garnished  with  a  tier  of  guns,  and  infan 
try  breastworks.  Directly  at  its  base,  on  the  north,  is 
the  National  Road,  passing  along  a  causeway  con- 

*  In  the  month  of  July  a  coalition  was  formed  by  the  authorities  of 
the  five  states  of  San  Luis  Potosi,  Mexico,  Zacatecas,  Jalisco,  and 
Q,ueretaro,  who  declared  that  they  would  be  bound  by  no  treaty  so  long 
as  the  army  of  the  United  States  threatened  the  capital,  or  occupied  any 
part  of  the  Mexican  territory. 


CHURUBUSCO.  341 

structed  upon  the  very  verge  of  Lake  Tezcuco.  The 
height  was  completely  surrounded  by  a  deep  ditch, 
flooded  by  sluices  from  the  lake.  There  was  a  strong 
battery,  also,  on  the  causeway,  four  hundred  yards  in 
advance  of  the  hill,  another  by  its  side,  and  a  third, 
about  a  mile  from  the  gate  of  San  Lazaro.  Three 
miles  in  front  of  El  Peilon,  at  the  hamlet  of  Los  Reyes, 
a  second  road,  though  but  an  indifferent  one,  branches 
off  to  the  south-west,  to  the  village  of  Mexicalcingo,  sit 
uated  at  the  foot  of  Lake  Xochimilco,  on  the  outlet  or 
canal  leading  to  Mexico,  from  which  it  is  about  five 
miles  distant.  The  ground  in  the  vicinity  of  the  village 
is  low  and  boggy,  and  the  bridge  over  the  outlet  was 
fortified,  and  flanked  to  the  right  and  left,  by  powerful 
batteries.* 

Two  miles  south-west  of  Mexicalcingo,  upon  the 
opposite  shore  of  Xochimilco,  is  CHURUBUSCO,  on  the 
Acapulco  road — the  first  high  ground  west  of  the  lake. 
A  short  distance  north  of  the  village,  the  road,  or  cause 
way,  crosses  the  river  Churubusco,  over  a  large  stone 
bride.  This  was  protected  by  a  tele  du  pont,  with 
bastioned  fronts  regularly  proportioned,  and  a  wide 
ditch.  The  outer  face  of  the  south  front  was  seventy 
five  yards  in  length  : — the  eastern  front  was  one  hun 
dred  yards,  and  the  western  nearly  the  same.  Between 
two  and  three  miles  south  of  Churubusco.  at  the  village 
of  San  Antonio,  there  were  strong  fieldworks,  contain 
ing  seven  batteries,  with  twenty-four  heavy  guns,  and 
two  infantry  breastworks,  which  commanded  the  ap 
proaches  in  that  direction. 

Five   miles  north-west   of  Churubusco,  where   the 

*  At  El  Penon  there  were  twenty  batteries,  mounting  51  guns,  and 
fifteen  infantry  breastworks;  and  at  Mexicalcingo,  eight  batteries, 
mounting  38  gun*,  and  one  breastwork  for  infantry. 


342  CHAPULTEPEC    AND    EL    MOLIXO    DEL    KEY. 

mountains  on  the  west  incline  nearer  to  the  city,  is 
"  the  royal  hill  of  CHAPULTEPEC,"* — once  washed  by  the 
waters  of  Lake  Tezcuco — in  ancient  times  the  favorite 
retreat  of  the  mild  Montezuma  and  his  royal  ancestors. 
At  a  later  day  it  was  crowned  with  the  splendid  palace 
of  the  Viceroy  Galvez — subsequently  converted  into  a 
military  school  and  fortification.  The  main  structure 
and  terre-plein,  covering  about  four  hundred  square 
yards,  and  provided  with  heavy  armaments,  occupied 
the  summit  of  a  rocky  acclivity,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  above  the  adjacent  meadows,  near  the  east  end  of 
an  oblong  inclosure,  surrounded  by  a  stone  wall  ten  feet 
high,  four  hundred  yards  broad,  from  north  to  south, 
and  nine  hundred  yards  in  length,  from  east  to  west. 
On  the  rising  ground,  beyond  a  gentle  slope  inclining 
towards  the  west  from  the  base  of  the  acclivity,  and 
adorned  with  a  magnificent  grove  of  cypress  trees, 
twelve  hundred  yards  distant  from  Chapultepec,  was 
EL  MOLINO  DEL  KEY,  "  the  Mill  of  the  King,"  a  long- 
range  of  stone  buildings,  with  towers  at  the  end,  origi 
nally,  as  the  name  implies,  used  as  a  mill ;  but  when 
the  Americans  entered  the  valley,  it  was  occupied  by 
the  Mexican  troops.  From  four  to  five  hundred  yards 
further  to  the  west,  upon  a  ridge,  and  nearly  on  a 
line  with  the  northern  face  of  El  Molino  del  Rey,  was 
Casa  de  Mata,  an  old  square  building,  with  thick  stone 
walls,  surrounded  by  ditches  and  bastioned  intrench- 
ments,  erected  for  a  fort,  but  afterwards  occupied  as 
a  dwelling.  Ditches,  batteries,  redans,  and  breast 
works,  varying  in  form  and  extent,  were  constructed 
in  and  about  this  group  of  fortifications. f 

*  The  Hill  of  Grasshoppers. 

f  There  were  seven  batteries  at  Chapultepec,  mounting  19  guns,  and 
•even  infantry  breastwork*. 


INTERIOR    LINE    OF    DEFENCE.  343 

Less  than  a  mile  south  of  Chapultepec,  and  within 
range  of  its  guns,  is  the  village,  or  hermitage  of  Tacu- 
baya,  containing  the  palace  of  the  archbishop,  and  a 
number  of  fine  country  seats.  At  the  south-eastern 
angle  of  the  inclosure,  the  Toluca  road  intersects  the 
causeway,  leading  direct,  one  and  a  half  miles,  in  a 
north-easterly  course,  to  the  gate  of  Belen.  Here  also 
commences  the  branch  conducting  to  the  San  Cosme 
causeway,  about  two  miles  further  north.  The  Tacu- 
baya  causeway, — the  branch,  from  the  north-eastern 
angle  of  the  wall  encompassing  the  heights  of  Chapul 
tepec, — and  the  San  Cosme  causeway,  from  its  inter 
section  with  the  latter, — are  double  roadways,  on 
either  side  of  massy  elevated  aqueducts,  supported  on 
heavy  arches  and  pillars,  which  supply  the  city  with 
fresh  water.  The  causeways  are  all  flanked  by  deep 
ditches,  and  marshy  grounds. 

Within  this  exterior  chain  of  defences,  which  mount 
ed,  together,  over  one  hundred  pieces  of  artillery,  there 
was  also  an  interior  line  scarcely  less  formidable.  A 
wide  and  deep  navigable  canal,  intended  for  drainage 
and  for  custom-house  purposes,  and  extremely  difficult, 
if  not  impossible,  to  bridge  in  the  face  of  an  active 
enemy,  surrounded  the  city  throughout  its  greater  ex 
tent.  There  were  eight  main  entrances,  at  each  of 
which  there  was  a  garita,  or  large  fortified  gateway, 
where  duties  were  collected,  as  in  many  European 
towns. 

On  the  left  of  the  Tacubaya  causeway,  but  a  short 
distance  in  rear  of  the  garita  Belen,  was  the  Ciudadela, 
or  citadel,  a  solid  rectangular  work,  between  two  and 
three  hundred  yards  square.  Batteries  and  redans 
were  built  upon  and  near  the  causeways  and  garitas, 
and  in  the  intervals  between  them ;  and  preparation, 

17 


344  APPROACH    OF    THE    AMERICANS. 

were  made  to  connect  the  works  by  a  continuous  line 
of  breastworks  and  redoubts,  and  to  barricade  the 
heads  of  the  streets  leading  into  the  principal  thorough 
fares.  The  losses  sustained  by  the  Mexicans  during 
the  progress  of  the  war  had  occasioned  a  great  defi 
ciency  in  artillery,  and  the  interior  line  of  defence  was 
but  poorly  supplied  with  guns  ;  it  having  been  the  in 
tention,  probably,  of  Santa  Anna,  if  forced  to  retreat, 
to  withdraw  his  artillery  from  the  exterior  line,  and 
employ  it  in  defending  a  new  position. 

The  army  under  the  immediate  command  of  the 
Mexican  President  and  General-in-chief,  numbered  over 
30,000  men,  who  were  well  provided  with  arms,  and 
well  disciplined.  The  various  fortifications  south  and 
east  of  the  city  were  garrisoned,  and  General  Valencia 
was  thrown  forward  with  his  division,  on  the  road  to 
Puebla,  to  hold  that  route  in  observation.  Santa  Anna 
took  post  with  the  main  body  of  his  troops,  in  the  vicin 
ity  of  the  capital,  in  readiness  to  succor  any  point  that 
might  be  menaced.  General  Valencia  advanced  as  far 
as  the  pass  of  Rio  Frio,  where  the  mountains  close 
down  upon,  and  overhang  the  road,  for  nearly  a  mile. 
Trees  were  felled,  and  embankments  thrown  up,  but  on 
the  approach  of  General  Scott,  he  fell  back  towards 
Mexico,  and  the  march  of  the  former  was  entirely  un 
obstructed. 

Rumors  of  resistance  were  quite  frequent  as  the 
Americans  advanced  into  the  interior ;  but  they  en 
countered  no  obstacle  worthy  of  mention,  and  saw  no 
enemy,  except,  it  might  be,  an  occasional  guerillero  flit 
ting  away  over  the  distant  cliffs,  with  the  speed  of  the 
wild  deer  chased  by  the  hunters.  Major  Sumner,  with 
the  companies  of  the  2nd  dragoons,  and  one  company  of 
mounted  rifles,  led  the  advance ;  and  on  approaching 


SKIRMISHING.  345 

the  foot  of  the  mountains,  he  discovered  a  body  of  the 
enepyy's  lancers  posted  about  a  mile  in  his  front,  near 
the  Kacienda  of  Buena  Vista.  Promptly  ordering  a 
charge,  the  Mexicans  were  compelled  to  make  a  hasty 
retreat.  General  Twiggs  reached  Ayotla,  fifteen  miles 
from  Mexico,  on  the  llth  of  August,  where  he  halted 
with  his  division.  The  other  divisions  of  the  army 
soon  came  up,  and  encamped  in  his  rear,  about  the  head 
of  Lake  Chalco. 

There  were  three  different  routes  that  suggested 
themselves  to  General  Scott,  by  which  the  city  could 
be  approached  ;  the  first,  to  make  the  circuit  of  Lake 
Tezcuco,  and  enter  it  by  way  of  Guadalupe,  from  the 
north  ;  the  second,  to  proceed  straight  forward  upon 
the  National  Road  ;  and  the  third,  to  turn  Lakes  Chalco 
and  Xochimilco,  and  approach  it  on  the  south.  The 
first  was  ascertained  to  be  too  tedious  and  too  circuit 
ous  to  be  undertaken.  Close  and  daring  reconnais 
sances  of  El  Penon  were  made  on  the  12th  and  13th, 
which  disclosed  the  strength  of  the  position,  and  con 
vinced  the  American  commander  that  the  work  could 
not  be  carried  except  at  a  great  sacrifice  of  life.  Sev 
eral  skirmishes  took  place  with  the  enemy's  advanced 
corps,  while  these  reconnaissances  were  being  made, 
and  on  the  13th  a  superior  force  of  Mexican  cavalry 
were  attacked  and  routed  by  a  small  party  of  dragoons 
escorting  Lieutenant  Hamilton,  aid-de-camp  to  Gene 
ral  Scott,  who  was  ordered  to  make  an  examination  of 
a  foundry  near  Mil  Flores,  a  small  town  five  or  six 
miles  beyond  Chalco.  On  the  13th  instant,  another 
reconnaissance  was  directed  upon  Mexicalcingo,  when 
it  was  found  that,  masking  El  Penon,  the  passage  of 
the  bridge  at  that  place  could  be  forced.  But  it  was 
also  ascertained  that  the  causeway  beyond  the  bridge 


346  TURNING    LAKE    CHALCO. 

was  very  narrow,  and  flanked  on  both  sides  by  water 
and  marshes.  To  proceed  by  either  of  the  routes  on 
the  east,  was,  therefore,  deemed  unadvisable,  if  a  more 
feasible  one  could  be  found. 

General  Scott  had  long  entertained  the  project  of 
passing  around  Lakes  Chalco  and  Xochimilco,  in  order 
to  gain  the  harder  and  firmer,  though  more  uneven 
ground,  to  the  south,  and  south-west  of  the  capital* 
On  the  14th  of  August,  Captain  Mason,  of  the  engi 
neers,  supported  by  a  party  commanded  by  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Duncan,  reconnoitred  the  southern  route,  and 
discovered  that  there  was  a  practicable  road  for  artil 
lery,  by  which  the  strong  fortifications  east  of  the  city 
could  be  avoided.  Orders  were  immediately  issued  for 
putting  the  columns  in  motion.  The  order  of  march 
was  now  reversed.  General  Worth's  division,  with 
Colonel  Harney's  brigade  in  the  advance,  marched  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  15th  instant.  Generals  Pillow  and 
Quitman  followed  the  movement  closely  with  their  di 
visions,  and  on  the  16th  General  Twiggs  brought  up  the 
rear  with  his  command.  At  the  hacienda  of  Oka  Laka, 
about  half  a  mile  south  of  the  National  Road,  General 
Twiggs  encountered  the  division  of  General  Valencia, 
formed,  as  he  thought,  to  cut  him  off  from  the  leading 
columns.  His  men  were  quickly  and  handsomely  ar 
rayed  in  line  of  battle,  and  then  moved  forward  to 
meet  the  enemy.  Captain  Taylor  at  the  same  time 
opened  upon  them  with  his  guns,  but  they  judged  it 
prudent  to  retire  before  the  American  infantry  came 
within  range.  They  were  driven  nearly  two  miles  from 
the  road,  by  the  fire  of  the  battery,  leaving  several  of 

*  This  was,  mainly,  the  route  taken  by  Cortes,  on  his  second  visit  tc 
the  capital  of  the  Aztecs.  During  the  siege,  his  head-quarters  were  at 
fort  Xoioc,  on  what  is  now  the  San  Antonio  causeway. 


MARCH    OF    MAJOR    LALLY.  347 

their  dead  on  the  field,  and  General  Tvviggs  then  con 
tinued  on  his  course  unmolested. 

Following  the  miserable  trail  that  wound  its  devious 
way  around  Lake  Chalco,  the  Americans  once  more 
came  in  sight  of  the  glittering  spires  of  the  capital,  as 
they  reached  the  southern  borders  of  Xochimilco,  no 
longer,  as  its  name  imports,  "  the  field  of  flowers."  The 
road  was  almost  impassable  ;  in  some  places  being  nearly 
covered  with  water  and  excessively  muddy ;  and  in  oth 
ers  running  beneath  frowning  cliffs,  or  across  deep  rocky 
gulleys.  A  few  straggling  parties  of  the  enemy  were 
discovered,  but  no  attempt  was  made  to  impede  the 
progress  of  the  American  columns,  til  the  17th  instant. 
General  Worth  then  found  the  narrow  road,  beyond  the 
hacienda  of  San  Gregorio,  badly  cut-  up  and  filled  with 
rocks.  These  obstructions  considerably  retarded  his 
advance,  as  it  became  necessary  to  remove  them  be 
fore  the  column  could  proceed.  Near  Santa  Cruz  a 
scattering  fire  was  opened  upon  the  head  of  the  division, 
by  a  body  of  Mexicans,  posted  on  the  hills  above  the 
road  on  the  left,  who  were  quickly  dispersed  by  the 
light  battalion  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  C.  F.  Smith, 
and  the  2nd  artillery  under  Major  Gait.  At  La  Novia, 
also,  the  American  advance  had  a  skirmish  with  one 
of  the  enemy's  pickets,  which  was  driven  in. 

After  the  evacuation  of  Jalapa  by  the  American 
troops,  on  account  of  the  inability  of  General  Scott  to 
garrison  so  many  posts  on  the  road  to  Vera  Cruz,  that 
city  became  the  head-quarters  of  the  guerilla  chiefs, 
whose  bands  had  infested  the  road.  The  severe  chas 
tisement  the  latter  had  received  from  Generals  Cad- 
walader  and  Pierce  had  produced  a  deep  impression, 
and  it  required  some  powerful  attraction  to  draw  them 
in  very  great  numbers  from  their  hiding-places.  On  the 


348  THE    GUERILLEROS. 

6th  of  August  Major  Lally,  of  the  9th  infantry,  icfl  Yera 
Cruz  with  about  1,000  men,  consisting  of  nine  compa 
nies  of  infantry,  belonging  to  different  regiment.*,  two 
companies  of  voltigeurs,  one  company  of  Georgia 
mounted  volunteers  under  Captain  Loyall,  and  a  bat 
tery  of  two  six- pounders,  commanded  by  Lieutenant 
Sears,  of  the  2nd  artillery.  The  command  escorted  a 
train  of  sixty-four  wagons,  which,  it  was  erroneously 
reported,  contained  one  million  of  dollars  in  specie. 
The  opportunity  of  reaping  this  golden  harvest  was  not 
lost  by  the  guerilleros.  The  intelligence  was  conveyed 
with  great  rapidity  through  the  country,  and  General 
Soto,  governor  of  the  state  of  Vera  Cruz,  in  connec 
tion  with  the  guerilla  leaders,  Padre  Jarauta,  Sefior 
Aburto,  and  others;  succeeded  in  collecting  together  be 
tween  twelve  and  fifteen  hundred  men,  with  several 
pieces  of  artillery. 

Anticipating  an  encounter  with  the  banditti  upon 
the  road,  Major  Lally  placed  the  left  wing  of  his  de 
tachment,  under  Captain  Winans,  of  the  15th  infan 
try,  in  front  of  the  train,  and  the  right  wing,  under 
Captain  Hutter,  of  the  6th  infantry,  in  the  rear.  The 
centre  guard,  of  two  companies,  was  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Lear,  of  the  5th  infantry,  and  mounted 
flankers  were  thrown  out  on  either  side.  The  enemy 
were  first  discovered,  on  the  10th  of  August,  at  Pasode 
Ovejas,  where  they  attempted  to  harass  the  American 
troops,  by  firing  at  long  distances,  for  the  purpose  of 
drawing  them  into  the  chaparral  in  a  fruitless  search. 
Their  object  was  soon  understood,  and  the  command 
continued  steadily  on  their  route.  About  two  o'clock  in 
the  afternoon,  the  principal  attack  was  made  from  be 
hind  the  ruins  of  a  stone  house,  upon  a  hill  on  the  right 
of  the  road  in  front.  Lieutenant  Sears  opened  an  ef- 


REPEATED    ENCOUNTERS.  349 

fective  fire  of  grape  and  ball  on  the  house,  and  Captain 
Alvord,  of  the  4th  infantry,  seconded  by  Lieutenant 
Leigh,  of  the  voltigeurs,  gallantly  stormed  the  height 
with  a  party,  and  drove  the  enemy  before  them.  In 
the  meantime  an  attack  was  made  on  the  head  of  the 
train,  which  was  repulsed  by  Captain  Winans.  Dar 
ing  assaults  were  also  made  on  the  centre  and  rear  that 
were  promptly  met  by  Lieutenant  Lear  and  Captain 
Hutter. 

Major  Lally  immediately  dispatched  a  messenger  to 
Colonel  Wilson,  in  command  at  Vera  Cruz,  with  the 
intelligence  of  his  rencontre  with  the  guerilleros,  and 
on  the  13th  instant  Captain  Wells,  of  the  12th  infantry, 
was  ordered  to  reinforce  him,  with  two  companies  of 
infantry  and  one  company  of  the  Louisiana  mounted 
volunteers,  under  Captain  Fairchild.  Meanwhile  Ma 
jor  Lally  had  proceeded  with  his  detachment,  having 
been  joined,  on  the  llth  instant,  by  a  company  of 
Louisiana  cavalry  under  Captain  Besanc.on.  On  the 
12th,  he  discovered  the  enemy,  posted  in  force,  at  the 
Puente  Nacional.  As  usual,  the  bridge  was  barri 
caded,  and  a  terrible  fire  from  the  Mexican  escopetas 
wras  poured  upon  the  command,  from  the  fort,  and  the 
heights  on  the  right  of  the  town  beyond  the  stream. 
Lieutenant  Sears  attempted  to  breach  the  barricade 
with  his  guns,  but  could  not  bring  them  to  bear  in  such 
an  exposed  position.  They  were  then  withdrawn,  and 
the  fire  of  one  piece  was  turned  upon  the  fort,  while 
the  other,  from  a  hill  on  the  right,  opened  on  the  heights 
near  the  town.  At  the  same  time  Lieutenants  Wil- 
kins  and  Doyle,  of  the  15th  infantry,  and  Lieutenant 
Loring,  of  the  llth  infantry,  with  parts  of  their  com 
panies,  advanced  to  the  parapets  of  the  bridge,  from 
\fthich  they  kept  up  a  constant  fire.  Lieutenant  Lor- 


350  AFFAIR  AT  CERRO  GORDO. 

ing  succeeded  in  passing  the  barricade  with  a  small 
party,  and  was  instantly  followed  by  a  body  of  foot  and 
horse.  The  artillery  had  now  dislodged  the  enemy 
from  the  fort  and  the  heights  ;  the  bridge  was  cleared  ; 
and  at  sunset  Major  Lally  was  in  possession  of  the 
town,  where  he  remained  until  the  morning  of  the 
14th  instant,  to  give  time  for  any  reinforcements  that 
might  be  sent  from  Vera  Cruz,  to  come  up  with  him. 

Captain  Wells  found  the  road  swarming  with  gueril- 
leros,  and  was  compelled  to  fight  his  way,  foot  by  foot, 
to  the  National  Bridge.  He  attempted  to  cross  the 
river,  but  found  all  the  adjacent  heights  occupied  by 
the  enemy.  Repeated  efforts  were  made  to  effect  the 
passage  of  the  stream,  though  without  success.  Nearly 
all  the  mules  attached  to  the  wagons  were  killed,  and 
being  destitute  of  artillery,  the  party  were  eventually 
forced  to  retire,  with  the  loss  of  ten  or  twelve  men 
killed  and  wounded.  All  the  wagons,  with  one  ex 
ception,  containing  the  baggage  of  the  officers  and 
knapsacks  of  the  men,  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  Mexi 
cans. 

Before  his  arrival  at  the  National  Bridge,  Captain 
Wells  had  detached  thirteen  men  of  Captain  Fail-child's 
company,  to  inform  Major  Lally  of  his  approach.  The 
party  succeeded  in  joining  him  on  the  15th  of  August, 
at  the  Plan  del  Rio,  whither  he  had  advanced  on  the 
previous  day.  His  forage  having  been  exhausted,  Ma 
jor  Lally  left  his  train  at  this  point,  under  a  strong 
guard,  and  moved  forward  with  the  main  body  of  his 
command  to  the  pass  of  Cerro  Gordo,  which,  as  he  had 
Anticipated,  was  occupied  by  the  guerilleros,  who  still 
clung  with  the  utmost  tenacity,  to  the  hope  of  securing 
the  glittering  prize  promised  by  their  leaders.  Three 
hundred  yards  below  the  main  height  of  Cerro  Gordo 


AFFAIR    AT    THE    NATIONAL    BRIDGE.  35] 

a  barricade,  four  feet  thick,  was  thrown  across  the  road ; 
and  the  hills  and  thickets  of  chaparral  on  the  right,  be 
tween  the  National  Road  and  the  road  cut  by  General 
Twiggs,  and  the  intrenchments  and  breastworks  on  the 
series  of  bluffs  upon  the  left,  were  filled  with  Mexicans. 
As  the  Americans  approached,  the  enemy  commenced 
firing  from  the  hill-side  and  wooded  ravines  on  the 
right,  and  Lieutenant  Sears  immediately  brought  his 
guns  to  bear  upon  them.  The  fire  was  continued  for 
some  time,  when  Captain  Hornsby,  of  the  12th  infantry, 
was  ordered  to  dislodge  them  with  three  companies  of 
infantry  and  one  of  voltigeurs.  Moving  rapidly  through 
the  chaparral,  he  scaled  the  height,  and  drove  the  enemy 
from  their  position  in  a  few  moments.  On  the  left  of 
the  road,  Lieutenant  Ridgely,  of  the  4th  infantry,  with 
three  companies,  boldly  stormed  the  intrenchments  on 
the  central  bluff,  notwithstanding  a  destructive  fire  of 
musketry,  and  of  canister  from  a  nine-pounder  gun, 
which  the  enemy  poured  down  upon  his  party.  The 
work  was  carried,  and  two  nine-pounder  guns  and  nine 
thousand  musket  cartridges  captured  from  the  enemy. 
Lieutenant  Ridgely  now  turned  his  fire  upon  the  other 
positions  occupied  by  the  Mexicans,  and  they  soon  after 
fled  at  all  points.  The  hills  along  the  road  were  at 
once  ordered  to  be  occupied  by  detachments  of  the 
command,  and  Captain  Besancon  was  then  dispatched, 
with  fifty  mounted  men,  to  communicate  with  Captain 
Wells.  ' 

Captain  Besancon  learned  that  the  National  Bridge 
was  in  possession  of  the  enemy,  and  rightly  concluded 
that  the  reinforcement  had  been  driven  back.  Upon 
receiving  this  information,  Major  Lally  pushed  forward 
with  his  train,  on  the  17th  instant.  The  guerilleros  had 
become  very  much  dissatisfied  with  their  ill  fortune  ; — 


352  ARRIVAL    AT    JALAPA. 

the  American  artillery  at  the  Puente  Nacional  had 
committed  sad  havoc  among  them,  and  the  heights  and 
gorges  of  Cerro  Gordo  were  covered  with  their  dead 
comrades.  In  such  a  service,  where  the  pay  was  booty, 
and  that  only  to  be  reached  through  torrents  of  cannon 
balls,  and  over  the  bayonets  of  a  firm  and  unflinching 
infantry,  there  were  few  inducements  for  an  army  of 
bandits.  Large  numbers  of  them  dispersed  to  their 
homes  ;  but  in  the  afternoon  of  the  19th  instant,  Major 
Lally  was  again  assailed  by  the  remnant  of  the  band, 
at  Las  Animas,  one  and  a  half  miles  from  Jalapa,  who 
had  posted  themselves  behind  a  stone  fence  on  the  left 
of  the  road.  Several  rounds  of  canister  discharged 
upon  them,  and  a  vigorous  charge  of  infantry,  speedily 
cleared  the  road.  The  Americans  were  delayed  but 
little  more  than  an  hour,  and  entered  the  suburbs  of 
Jalapa  in  the  evening,  where  they  rested  on  their  arms 
until  daylight,  on  the  following  morning,  when  they 
took  possession  of  the  town  without  opposition. 

This  hazardous  march  was  accomplished  with  the 
loss  of  but  one  hundred  and  five  men  killed,  wounded, 
and  missing.*  Not  a  single  wagon  was  left  upon  the 
road,  or  captured  by  the  enemy.  Shortly  after  he 
reached  Jalapa,  Major  Lally  was  joined  by  Colonel 
Wynkoop,f  who  had  heard  of  the  affair  at  Cerro  Gordo, 

*  In  the  affair  at  the  National  Bridge,  Mr.  George  D.  Twiggs,  acting 
as  an  officer,  and  expecting  a  commission  and  an  appointment  on  the 
staff  of  his  relative,  General  Twiggs,  was  killed. 

t  An  amusing  incident  connected  with  the  guerilleros,  in  which  Col 
onel  Wynkoop  performed  a  prominent  part,  took  place  subsequent  to  the 
evacuation  of  Jalapa,  upon  the  advance  of  General  Scott  from  Puebla. 
When  the  American  garrison  was  withdrawn  from  the  city,  four  sick 
and  wounded  officers,  not  sufficiently  recovered  to  travel,  were  left  be 
hind  in  care  of  the  chief  alcalde,  who  treated  his  guests  with  great  kind 
ness  and  humanity.  But  a  few  days  afterwards  he  was  compelled,  by 


BCOTT    AT    SAN     AUGUSTIN.  353 

with  about  three  hundred  men.  The  former  concluded 
to  remain  temporarily  at  Jalapa,  to  recruit  his  com 
mand,  and  Colonel  Wynkoop  returned  to  Perote. 

The  tedious  march  of  General  Worth's  division,  ren 
dered  far  more  fatiguing  in  consequence  of  the  labor 
required  to  fit  the  road  for  the  passage  of  their  wagon 
train  and  artillery,  was  terminated  on  the  17th  of  Au 
gust,  by  their  arrival  at  San  Augustin,  on  the  Acapulco 
road, — twenty-seven  miles  from  Ayotla,  by  the  route 
traversed  by  the  American  army,  and  nine  miles  south 
of  the  city  of  Mexico.  Captain  Blake,  of  the  2nd 
dragoons,  in  command  of  the  advance  guard,  had  a 
slight  skirmish  with  the  enemy's  pickets,  as  he  entered 
the  town,  in  which  the  latter  were  easily  routed.  Gen 
eral  Scott  came  up  early  in  the  morning  of  the  18th, 
and  General  Worth  was  then  ordered  to  move  along 
the  causeway,  towards  San  Antonio,  two  and  a  half 
miles  further  north,  to  make  room  for  the  other  divis 
ions  to  close  on  him.  On  approaching  San  Antonio, 
it  was  discovered  that  the  fortifications  at  that  point 
commanded  the  causeway  and  the  marshes  on  the  left, 
as  far  as  Lake  Xochimilco.  The  right  was  protected 
by  a  pedregal,  or  field  of  volcanic  rocks,  impassable  for 
cavalry  or  artillery,  and  nearly  so  for  infantry,  extend 
ing  some  four  or  five  miles  westward,  to  the  San  An- 

threats  of  violence,  to  deliver. them  up,  though  very  reluctantly,  to  four 
guerilla  chiefs,  two  of  whom  were  said  to  be  natural  sons  of  Santa 
Anna,  whose  bands  were  in  the  vicinity.  When  this  was  made  known 
to  Colonel  Wynkoop,  he  formed  a  project  for  the  capture  of  four  leaders 
of  the  marauding  parties,  in  order  to  exchange  them  for  the  American 
officers.  The  expedition  was  undertaken  with  secrecy,  and  was  emi 
nently  successful.  Four  of  the  guerilla  chiefs,  and,  as  it  proved,  tho 
identical  persons  who  had  coerced  the  alcalde,  were  captured.  It  is  un 
necessary  to  add,  that  they  were  quite  willing  to  regain  their  liberty  by 
an  exchange. 


354  RECONNAISSANCES. 

gel  road,  which  left  the  San  Antonio  causeway  near 
the  tete  du  ponl,  and  continued  up  the  valley  of  the 
Churubusco  river,  in  a  south-westerly  course,  by  way 
of  Cojohuacan,  or  Coyoacan,  as  it  is  now  usually  writ 
ten,  and  San  Angel,  to  the  factory  of  Magdalena,  about 
nine  miles  from  Churubusco. 

General  Worth  halted  his  column  at  a  hacienda 
within  fifteen  hundred  yards  of  the  enemy's  works  at 
San  Antonio,  and  Captain  Mason,  assisted  by  Lieuten 
ants  Stevens  and  Tower,  all  of  the  corps  of  engineers, 
was  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre,  supported  by  Captain 
Thornton  with  his  company  of  the  2nd  dragoons.  The 
Mexican  batteries  opened  on  the  party,  when  they 
came  within  range  ;  the  first  shot  killing  Captain  Thorn 
ton,  and  severely  wounding  the  guide.  No  practica 
ble  route,  even  for  infantry,  could  be  discovered  to  turn 
the  position  on  the  right,  and  none  on  the  left,  except 
by  crossing  the  pedregal.  An  assault  in  front  could 
only  be  made  by  battering  in  breach,  and  the  use  of 
scaling-ladders  and  fascines.  In  the  meantime  a  re 
connaissance  was  made  by  Captain  Lee  and  Lieutenant 
Beauregard,  of  the  engineers,  of  a  mule  path  leading 
through  the  pedregal,  and  intersecting  the  San  Angel 
road  about  four  miles  directly  west  from  San  Augus- 
tin.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Graham,  with  the  llth  infan 
try,  and  Captain  Kearny,  of  the  1st  dragoons,  with  his 
troop,  covered  the  reconnaissance.  A  large  body  of 
observation  was  discovered  in  that  direction,  with  the 
advance  corps  of  which  the  supporting  party  had  a 
successful  skirmish.  A  second  reconnaissance  of  this 
route  was  made  in  the  morning  of  the  19th,  and  Major 
J.  L.  Smith,  the  senior  engineer  officer  with  the  army, 
also  made  a  careful  examination  of  the  different  ap 
proaches  to  the  city.  These  reconnaissances  rendered 


ARRANGEMENTS  OF  SANTA  ANNA.        355 

it  certain  that  the  mule  path  could  be  made  practicable 
for  artillery,  and  General  Scott  at  once  determined  to 
gain  the  San  Angel  road,  and  then  move  round  to  the 
attack  of  San  Antonio  in  rear. 

As  soon  as  it  became  known  that  the  American  army 
had  changed  their  course,  and  were  proceeding  south  of 
Lake  Chalco,  to  reach  the  Acapulco  road,  Santa  Anna 
moved  the  greater  part  of  his  forces  to  the  San  Antonio 
causeway  and  its  vicinity.  The  works  at  San  Antonio 
were  garrisoned  with  3,000  men.  Eight  guns  were 
mounted  in  the  tete  du  pont  at  the  Puente  del  Rosario, 
the  fortified  bridge  near  Churubusco.  A  strong  field- 
work  was  thrown  up  around  the  southern  front  and  an 
gles  of  the  stone  church  of  San  Pablo,  from  three  to  four 
hundred  yards  to  the  right  and  front  of  the  tete  du  pont. 
This  work,  which  \vas  also  surrounded  by  a  high  wall, 
commanded  the  San  Angel  road,  and  a  cross-road  ex 
tending  about  half  a  mile  to  the  south,  where  it  inter 
sected  a  similar  road  leading  from  the  San  Angel  road 
to  the  San  Antonio  causeway.  Seven  guns  were 
placed  in  battery  at  San  Pablo,  the  garrison  of  which 
was  commanded  by  General  Rincon.  General  Valen 
cia  was  posted  on  the  San  Angel  road  with  7,000  men, 
said  to  have  been  "  the  flower  of  the  Mexican  army," 
and  twenty-four  pieces  of  artillery,  half  of  which  were  of 
heavy  calibre.  Santa  Anna  remained  near  Coyoacan, 
with  the  main  body,  between  twelve  and  fourteen  thou 
sand  strong,  and  General  Perez,  in  command  of  the  re 
serve,  occupied  the  hacienda  of  Portales,  three-fourths 
of  a  mile  in  rear  of  Churubusco,  on  the  San  Antonio 
causeway.  In  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  August,  Gen 
eral  Valencia  was  directed  to  fall  back  on  Coyoacan  ; 
but  in  violation  of  his  orders,  as  subsequently  stated  by 


35(>  THE    HILL    OF    CQNTRERAS. 

Santa  Anna,*  he  proceeded  to  the  HILL  OF  CONTRERAS 
where  he  was  permitted  to  remain,  something  more 
than  two  miles  beyond  San  Angel,  upon  which  he  in 
trenched  himself,  and  planted  his  guns.  The  troops 
under  his  command  were  those  discovered  by  Captain 
Lee  on  the  18th  instant.  The  hill  on  which  they  were 
posted  lies  in  a  bend  of  the  San  Angel  road,  that  winds 
around  its  northern  and  eastern  faces,  and  fronts  the 
opening  of  the  mule  path  along  which  General  Scott  de 
cided  to  advance.  East  of  the  hill  and  San  Angel  road, 
and  between  the  latter  and  the  pedregal,  is  a  broad  and 
deep  ravine,  which  it  was  necessary  for  a  party  assail 
ing  the  position  in  front,  to  cross  under  a  plunging  fire. 
The  guns  on  the  left  flank  of  the  intrenched  camp 
enfiladed  the  road  descending  towards  San  Angel,  for 
more  than  a  mile. 

In  conformity  with  the  determination  of  General 
Scott,  the  division  of  General  Pillow,  and  the  company 
of  sappers  and  miners,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  G. 
W.  Smith,  were  advanced  on  the  morning  of  the  19th, 
under  the  direction  of  Captain  Lee  of  the  engineers,  to 
open  the  mule  path  leading  to  the  San  Angel  road,  and 
General  Twiggs  was  ordered  to  cover  the  movement 
in  front,  with  his  division.  The  route  was  quite  hilly, 
and  lay  partly  through  fields  of  corn,  and  hedges  of 
chaparral,  growing  in  the  rich  intervals  of  the  barren 
and  rocky  waste,  and  over  ditches  filled  with  water,  and 
lined  with  maguey  and  prickly  pear.  General  Twiggs 
moved  forward  with  his  command — both  officers  and 
men  picking  their  way  on  foot — within  one  mile  of  the 

*  Manifesto  of  Santa  Anna,  dated  at  Mexico,  August,  23rd,  1847. — 
The  private  correspondence  between  Santa  Anna  and  Valencia,  on  the 
18th  and  19th  of  August,  intercepted  by  the  Americans,  corroborates  tha 
statement  in  the  Manifesto. 


ATTEMPT  TO  REACH  THE  SAN  ANGEL  ROAD.    357 

enemy's  position.  Captain  McLellan  of  the  engineers 
proper,  and  Lieutenant  McLellan  of  the  topographical 
engineers,  being  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre,  they  were 
fired  upon  by  the  enemy's  skirmishers,  now  occupying 
the  ground  in  front.  The  rifles,  under  Major  Loring, 
were  brought  up  to  clear  the  road.  This  done,  General 
Pillow  detached  from  his  division  Captain  Magruder, 
with  his  field-battery,  and  the  rocket  and  mountain 
howitzer  battery  of  the  voltigeurs,  in  charge  of  Lieu 
tenant  Callender,  of  the  ordnance.  After  much  severe 
labor  in  dragging  the  artillery  over  the  rocks,  Captain 
Magruder  placed  his  guns  in  battery  at  nine  hundred 
yards  distance  from  the  Hill  of  Contreras,  and  Lieuten 
ant  Callender  planted  three  of  his  pieces  on  the  left, — 
Lieutenant  Reno,  also  of  the  ordnance,  moving  still 
further  to  the  left,  with  the  rocketeers.  Colonel  Riley, 
with  the  second  brigade  of  General  Twiggs'  division, 
received  orders  to  cross  the  pedregal  on  the  right,  and 
having  gained  the  San  Angel  road,  to  attack  the  ene 
my  in  rear.  General  P.  F.  Smith  moved  to  the  left 
and  front  of  the  batteries  with  his  brigade,  and  General 
Pierce,  in  command  of  the  first  brigade  of  General  Pil 
low's  division,  took  post  on  the  right. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  American  guns 
opened  a  lively  and  well-directed  fire  on  the  Mexican 
position,  though  but  partially  covered,  by  ledges  of 
rocks,  from  the  incessant  shower  of  balls  and  howitzer 
shells  which  fell  among  them.  A  fierce  cannonade  was 
kept  up  for  hours,  during  which  the  men  at  the  batter 
ies,  and  the  brigades  of  Generals  Pierce  and  Smith,  oc 
casionally  engaged  with  the  enemy's  skirmishers,  suf 
fered  severely.  While  the  battle  was  raging  at  this 
point,  General  Pillow  sent  General  Cadwalader  to  the 
support  of  Colonel  Riley,  with  the  second  brigade  of 


358  CROSSING     THE    PEDREGAL. 

his  division.  General  Scott  arrived  at  the  scene  of 
action  a  few  minutes  later,  and  immediately  ordered 
Colonel  Morgan,  of  the  15th  infantry,  belonging  to 
General  Pierce's  brigade,  till  then  held  in  reserve,  to 
move  in  the  same  direction. 

The  severity  of  the  fire,  so  long  gallantly  sustained 
by  the  batteries  of  Captain  Magruder  and  Lieutenant 
Callender,  and  the  other  troops  in  front,  was  not  abated 
for  a  moment.  General  Smith  saw  that  the  slope  and 
ravine,  intervening  between  his  position  and  that  of  the 
enemy,  could  not  be  crossed  except  at  the  imminent 
hazard  of  the  entire  destruction  of  his  force.  To  re 
main  longer  in  this  position  was  useless.  He  therefore 
moved  round  to  the  rear  of  Captain  Magruder,  and 
leaving  three  companies  of  the  3rd  infantry  under  Cap 
tain  Craig,  a  detachment  of  the  rifles  under  Captain  San 
derson,  and  a  small  party  of  the  1st  artillery,  to  support 
the  battery,  he  also  entered  the  pedregal.  Subsequently 
General  Shields  came  up  with  his  brigade  of  General 
Quitman's  division,  and  was  directed,  by  the  General- 
in-chief,  to  follow  the  same  intricate  and  difficult  path 
over  the  field  of  lava, — perhaps  resembling  nothing  so 
much,  as  what  one  might  fancy,  the  fabled  battle-ground 
of  the  Titans.  The  route  being  wholly  impracticable 
for  artillery,  Captain  Taylor,  of  Twiggs'  division,  was 
forced  to  remain  behind  with  his  battery. 

The  different  corps  ordered  to  cross  the  pedregal, 
were  at  no  time  out  of  range  of  the  heavy  guns  of  the 
intrenched  camp  of  General  Valencia.  Divested  of 
their  knapsacks — the  officers  being  dismounted — with 
buoyant  and  manly  strides  they  sprang  from  rock  to 
rock, — tearing  their  way  through  closely  matted  thick 
ets  of  chaparral,  climbing  over  jagged  precipices,  and 
leaping  across  wide  fissures,  and  deep  chasms.  The 


MOVEMENTS  OF  COLONEL  RILEY.        35& 

distance  to  the  further  side  of  the  pedregnl  was  nearly 
a  mile,  and,  on  emerging  from  the  rocks,  Colonel  Riley 
crossed  a  ravine,  at  the  bottom  of  which  was  a  small 
stream.  On  ascending  the  opposite  slope,  he  came 
upon  the  San  Angel  road,  at  the  hacienda  of  Ensaldo, 
about  fourteen  hundred  yards  north  of  the  Hill  of  Con- 
treras.  Passing  another  ravine,  also  the  bed  of  one  of 
the  tributaries  of  the  Churubusco,  he  gained  a  second 
slope  or  elevation,  upon  which  was  the  hamlet  of  San 
Geronimo,  or  Contreras,  four  hundred  yards  west  of 
the  main  road,  and  connected  with  it  by  a  narrow  lane. 
Beyond  the  village  was  a  third  ravine,  to  which  he  ex 
tended  his  line,  for  the  purpose  of  sweeping  through  the 
hamlet,  and  driving  back  the  enemy's  cavalry,  large 
bodies  of  which  had  been  dispatched  by  General  Va 
lencia  to  check  the  attempt  to  gain  his  rear. 

Repeated  attempts  were  made  by  the  enemy's  lancers 
to  force  Colonel  Riley  to  retire,  but  they  were  always 
repulsed  with  loss.  Having  driven  them  back  upon 
their  support,  he  sheltered  his  brigade,  temporarily,  from 
the  fire  of  the  Mexican  guns,  in  a  ravine  south  and 
west  of  San  Geronimo.  Upon  the  arrival  of  Generals 
Cadwalader  and  Smith,  with  their  brigades  and  the 
15th  infantry,  a  heavy  force  of  cavalry  and  infantry, 
supported  by  six  pieces  of  artillery, — afterwards  ascer 
tained  to  consist  of  12,000  men,  commanded  by  Santa 
Anna  in  person, — were  discovered  advancing  from  San 
Angel,  and  occupying  the  slopes  west  of  the  road. 
Colonel  Riley  now  joined  the  other  corps,  and  General 
Smith,  as  the  senior  officer  present,  took  command  of 
the  united  force,  at  most,  but  3,300  strong. 

General  Smith  commenced  making  his  dispositions 
^for  attacking  the  enemy's  columns  in  the  direction  of 
San  Angel ;  but  the  delay  in  the  transmission  of  his 


360  THE    NIGHT    BIVOUAC. 

instructions,  in  consequence  of  the  officers  being  with 
out  their  horses,  prevented  their  completion  till  long 
after  sunset,  and  his  orders  were  then  countermanded. 
The  night  set  in  dark  and  lowering,  gloomy  and  inau 
spicious.  The  cold  rain  began  to  pour  down  in  tor 
rents.  The  American  soldiers  were  posted  in  the  lanes 
and  orchards,  in  the  gardens  and  groves  of  San  Ge- 
ronimo.  Feeble  in  numbers,  ignorant  of  the  country 
around,  with  no  fires  to  cheer  them,  cold,  wet,  and  hun 
gry, — they  were  still  sustained  by  the  ambition  and 
emulation  that  had  achieved  so  much,  and  the  soldierly 
pride  and  daring  ready  for  any  enterprise  of  danger  or 
peril.  Some  few  were  sheltered  in  the  church,  and 
other  buildings  of  the  hamlet ;  others  sought  the  friendly 
cover  of  a  shrub  or  tree ;  but  many  lay  down  on  the 
damp  ground,  wholly  unprotected  from  the  pelting 
storm.  To  all  it  was  a  lonely  bivouac.  Those  who 
watched  were  well  nigh  overpowered  with  fatigue,  and 
those  who  slumbered,  awoke  unrefreshed,  to  listen  to 
the  wild  howlings  of  the  blast ! 

On  the  other  side  of  the  pedregal,  all  was  anxiety  and 
suspense.  General  Pierce  marched  the  remainder  of 
his  brigade  to  the  left  of  the  batteries,  which  ceased 
firing  after  nightfall.  Generals  Pillow  and  Twriggs 
made  ineffectual  efforts  to  cross  over  to  the  San  Angel 
road,  and  seven  different  officers,  dispatched  by  Gen 
eral  Scott  to  communicate  instructions  to  the  troops  at 
San  Geronimo,  lost  their  way  in  the  darkness  and  were 
compelled  to  return. 

In  the  meantime  General  Smith  and  his  officers  had 
assembled  in  consultation.  They  were  obviously  in  a 
critical  position,  and  liable  at  any  moment  to  be  sur 
rounded  by  an  overwhelming  force.  Had  they  been 
opposed  by  an  active  enemy,  they  would  not  have 


GENERAL  SMITH. 


361 

remained  unmolested.  A  few  shots  and  shells  were 
thrown  into  the  hamlet,  but  without  occasioning  any 
injury.  During  the  night,  two  pickets  were  captured, 
and  several  Mexicans,  who  attempted  to  pass  along  the 
road,  were  also  taken  prisoners.  General  Valencia  fan 
cied  he  had  completely  repulsed  the  attack  on  his  posi 
tion,  and  while  he  and  those  around  him  were  holding 
high  revel  over  their  imaginary  victory,  or  dozing  away 
the  precious  hours  of  darkness,  the  Americans  were 
examining  the  ravines  and  passes  around  his  camp. 
Lieutenant  Tower  twice  carefully  reconnoitred  the  ra 
vine  between  San  Geronimo  and  the  hacienda  of  En- 
saldo,  which  extended  up  in  rear  of  the  hill,  and  reported 
that  it  was  practicable,  though  difficult,  for  infantry. 
A  prompt  decision  was  now  made,  and  orders  were  is 
sued  to  the  officers  commanding  brigades,  to  have  the 
heads  of  their  columns  formed  on  the  path  leading 
through  the  village  to  the  ravine,  at  half-past  two 
o'clock  on  the  following  morning,  in  readiness  for  storm 
ing  the  height  of  Contreras. 

But  there  was  yet  one  difficulty, — to  hold  in  check 
the  large  force  hovering  on  the  road  to  San  Angel. 
The  enterprise  must  not  fail,  and  the  troops  required 
for  this  purpose  could  not  well  be  spared  from  the  storm 
ing  party.  At  this  juncture,  the  aid  of  General  Shields 
arrived,  with  the  information  that  his  commander  had 
crossed  the  pedregal  with  his  brigade,  consisting  of 
about  600  men.  About  midnight,  General  Shields 
reached  San  Geronimo,  and  on  being  informed  of  the 
arrangements  for  the  morning,  though  the  senior  offi 
cer  present,  he  magnanimously  declined  interfering 
with  the  plans  of  General  Smith,  but  reserved  to  him 
self  the  double  task  of  cutting  off  the  retreat  of  Gen 
eral  Valencia,  and  holding  the  other  force  in  check. — 


362  MARCH    OP    THE    TROOPS. 

Captain  Lee  was  dispatched  to  General  Scott  to  request' 
that  a  diversion  might  be  made  in  front,  simultaneously 
with  the  attack  in  rear.  He  succeeded  in  crossing  the 
pedregal,  and  the  necessary  instructions  were  issued  for 
a  compliance  with  the  request. 

At  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  20th,  the 
movement  under  General  Smith  commenced.  It  was 
still  raining,  and  so  dark  that  an  object  could  not  be 
seen  at  the  distance  of  six  feet.  The  men  were  or 
dered  to  keep  within  touch,  that  the  rear  files  might 
not  go  astray.  Moving  along  the  narrow  path,  through 
clayey  mud,  and  over  slippery  rocks,  they  cautiously 
approached  the  Mexican  position.  Lieutenant  Tower 
headed  the  column  ;  Colonel  Riley  led  the  advance 
with  his  brigade ;  General  Cadwalader  followed ;  and 
the  brigade  of  General  Smith,  temporarily  commanded 
by  Major  Dimmick,  of  the  1st  artillery,  with  the  com 
pany  of  sappers  and  miners,  brought  up  the  rear.  As 
the  columns  marched  by  a  flank,  the  line  was  so  ex 
tended,  that  the  morning  began  to  dawn  before  the 
head  of  General  Cadwalader's  brigade  had  reached  the 
ravine. 

The  day  broke  heavily.  Dark  masses  of  clouds 
drifted  across  the  sky,  or  rested  gloomily  over  the  dis 
tant  mountains.  The  dusky  lines  of  the  force  under 
Santa  Anna  were  soon  discovered  making  preparations 
to  beat  off  the  attack  which  they  had  anticipated.  Gen 
eral  Shields  occupied  the  hacienda  of  Ensaldo  and  the 
hamlet  of  San  Geronimo,  and  directed  his  men  to  build 
their  fires,  as  if  to  cook  their  morning  meal.  The  ene 
my  in  front  were  thus  kept  in  ignorance  of  the  move 
ment  going  on  in  his  rear,  until  it  was  too  late  to  make  a 
successful  diversion. 

Having  reached  a  favorable  point  nearly  in  rear  of 


STORMING  OP  THE  CAMP  OF  VALENCIA.     363 

the  intrenched  camp  of  Valencia,  General  Smith  or 
dered  a  halt,  and  directed  the  brigades  to  close  up.  It 
was  now  six  o'clock.  The  men  examined  their  pieces, 
and  replaced  the  loads  which  had  been  wetted.  Colonel 
Riley  formed  his  command  into  two  columns,  and  ad 
vanced  further  up  the  ravine.  He  then  gave  the  word, 
and  in  an  instant  his  men  ascended  the  bank  on  their 
left.  A  slight  acclivity  still  remained  between  him  and 
the  enemy.  That  was  surmounted, — and  the  camp  lay 
beneath  him.  Throwing  out  his  leading  divisions  as 
skirmishers,  with  a  swoop,  like  that  of  the  eagle  darting 
on  its  prey,  he  dashed  down  the  slope.  The  sappers 
and  miners,  and  the  rifle  regiment,  had  been  thrown 
across  an  intervening  ravine  under  the  brow  of  the 
slope,  and  now  swept  it  in  front  of  his  column.  Gene 
ral  Cadwalader  hastened  to  the  support  of  Colonel  Ri 
ley,  and  Major  Dimmick,  with  the  remaining  regiments 
of  General  Smith's  brigade,  was  ordered  to  face  to  the 
left,  and  engage  a  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry  under 
General  Torrejon,  hastily  forming  on  that  flank. 

The  boldness  and  daring  of  this  mano3uvre  took  the 
enemy  by  surprise.  Colonel  Ransom,  of  the  9th  in 
fantry,  in  command  of  the  brigade  of  General  Pierce, 
who  had  been  severely  hurt  by  a  fall  from  his  horse 
among  the  rocks,  on  the  19th  instant,  together  with  the 
detached  companies  of  the  rifles  and  the  3rd  infantry, 
diverted  their  attention  in  front,  until  Colonel  Riley  ap 
peared  above  the  crest  of  the  hill  in  rear,  when  they 
also  sprang  forward  to  join  in  the  attack.  Pouring  a 
heavy  fire  into  the  enemy's  camp,  as  they  rushed  down 
the  declivity,  Colonel  Riley  and  his  men  gained  the  in- 
trenchments,  unchecked  by  the  torrents  of  grape  and 
musketry  which  they  encountered.  Portions  of  the 
other  commands  likewise  joined  in  the  immediate  as- 


364          SLAUGHTER  OF  THE  ENEMY. 

sault.  The  contest  was  brief  but  bloody.  In  the  short 
space  of  seventeen  minutes  the  work  was  carried.  Ma 
jor  Dimmick  drove  back  the  cavalry  by  a  vigorous 
charge,  and  at  the  same  moment  the  brigade  of  Colonel 
Riley  leaped  over  the  breastworks,  sweeping  the  enemy 
before  them  with  fixed  bayonets,  and  taking  possession 
of  their  loaded  guns.  Captain  Drum,  of  the  4th  artil 
lery,  was  the  first  to  discover,  among  the  pieces  in  the 
camp,  the  two  guns  captured  from  another  company 
of  his  regiment  at  the  battle  of  Buena  Vista.  As  the 
word  was  passed,  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  4th 
artillery  gathered  around  the  trophies,  and  rent  the  air 
with  their  shouts  and  cheers.* 

The  road  to  San  Angel  was  now  blocked  up  with  a 
crowd  of  fugitives  hastening  from  the  scene  of  their 
disaster,  and  General  Shields  promptly  interposed  his 
command  to  intercept  the  retreat.  Many  were  killed 
by  the  fire  of  the  guns  from  the  camp,  which  were 
turned  upon  them  as  they  fled ;  General  Valencia  and 
a  considerable  portion  of  his  troops  escaped  towards 
the  mountains  ;  and  large  numbers  were  taken  prison 
ers.  Twenty-two  pieces  of  artillery, — seven  hundred 
pack  mules  and  many  horses, — and  great  quantities  of 
shells,  ammunition,  and  small  arms,  were  captured. 
Seven  hundred  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  one  thousand 
wounded,  and  eight  hundred,  including  four  general  offi 
cers,  taken  prisoners.  The  Americans  lost  but  sixty, 
killed  and  wounded,  in  the  assault. 

General  Scott  had  directed  General  Worth  to  leave 
one  of  his  brigades  to  mask  the  position  at  San  Anto 
nio,  and  to  join  him  with  the  other  early  in  the  morning 

*  These  two  guns,  with  other  captured  pieces,  were  organized  into  a 
battery,  and  placed  in  charge  of  Captain  Drum,  and  his  company  of 
the  4th  artillery. 


GENERAL    WORTH    MOVING    UPON    SAN     ANTONIO.       365 

of  the  20th,  intending  to  move  forward  to  support  the 
assault  of  the  intrenched  camp  of  Valencia.  General 
Quitman,  who  had  previously  occupied  San  Augustin,  the 
general  depot  of  the  army,  with  the  2nd  Pennsylvania, 
and  the  battalion  of  marines,  constituting  his  second 
brigade,  received  similar  instructions ;  and  Colonel 
Harney  was  ordered  to  garrison  San  Augustin  with 
the  cavalry.  These  orders  were  executed  ;  and  while 
General  Scott  was  advancing  in  the  direction  of  Con- 
treras,  he  received  the  cheering  intelligence  that  the 
work  had  been  already  carried.  General  Worth  was 
now  sent  back  to  threaten  San  Artonio,  and  attack  it 
in  front,  when  the  General-in- chief  had  moved  round 
through  San  Angel  and  Coyoacan,  with  the  troops  on 
that  roaa.  and  had  made  his  appearance  in  the  rear. 
General  Quitman  returned  to  San  Augustin  with  his 
command,  and  the  cavalry  brigade  under  Colonel  Har 
ney  followed  General  Scott  to  the  San  Angel  road. 

Immediately  after  the  works  on  the  hill  of  Contreras 
were  carried,  the  Mexican  reserves  commanded  by 
Santa  Anna,  began  to  retire  towards  Churubusco, 
Major  Gardner,  with  the  4th  artillery,  and  detachments 
from  other  regiments,  was  left  in  charge  of  the  pris 
oners,  and  the  American  troops  were  forming  for  the 
pursuit,  when  General  Twiggs  arrived,  and  ordered 
them  to  move  rapidly  forward.  At  San  Angel  Gen 
eral  Pillow  assumed  the  command.  The  rifle  recri- 

O 

ment,  in  the  advance,  had  repeated  skirmishes  with 
the  enemy's  rear,  upon  which  they  kept  up  a  galling 
fire.  At  Coyoacan  the  columns  were  halted  to  await 
the  arrival  of  General  Scott,  and  receive  further  in 
structions. 

In  none  of  the  actions  that  took  place  during  his 
campaign  in  Mexico,  was  the  old  war  spirit  of  General 

is 


366  ORDERS  OF  GENERAL  SCOTT. 

Scott,  which  shone  so  brightly  ra  the  plains  of  Niagara, 
more  fully  aroused  than  on  this  occasion.  Arrived  at 
Coyoacan,  the  *.vhole  scene  of  action  lay  before  him. 
In  a  few  seconds  all  the  officers  of  his  staff  were  hurry 
ing  with  his  orders  to  different  parts  of  the  field. 
General  Pillow,  with  the  brigade  of  General  Cadwala- 
der,  following  a  reconnaissance  by  Captain  Lee,  sup 
ported  by  the  rifles,  was  directed  to  attack  San  Anto 
nio  in  rear.  General  Twiggs,  accompanied  by  Major 
Smith,  of  the  engineers,  \vas  ordered  to  follow  the  com 
pany  of  sappers  and  miners,  supporting  Lieutenant 
Stevens  in  a  reconnaissance,  and  attack  the  church  of 
San  Pablo,  with  t<ie  brigade  of  General  Smith,  and 
Captain  Taylor's  battery,  followed  by  the  brigade  under 
Colonel  Riley.  After  a  brief  interval,  Gene  al  Pierce, 
though  suffering  severely  from  the  injury  he  had  re 
ceived,  but  still  able  to  keep  the  saddle,  was  dispatched 
by  a  third  road,  further  to  the  left,  to  turn  the  right  flank 
of  the  enemy,  and  gain  their  rear,  with  his  brigade,  and 
the  howitzer  and  rocket  battery,  now  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Reno;  and  immediately  thereafter,  Gene 
ral  Shields,  with  the  .Xew  York  and  South  Carolina 
volunteers,  forming  the  brigade  under  his  command, 
was  sent  in  the  same  direction,  with  orders  to  take 
command  of  the  left  wing.  The  troops  were  now  all 
employed  ;  and,  almost  alone  and  unattended,  Genera] 
Scott  followed  closely  after  the  division  of  Genera] 
Twiggs  for  protection. 

The  orders  issued  to  General  Pillow  were  antici 
pated  by  the  prompt  and  energetic  movements  of  Gen- 
eral  Worth.  On  returning  to  his  position  in  front  of 
San  Antonio,  he  determined  forthwith  to  advance  upon 
the  works.  The  first  brigade,  under  Colonel  Garland, 
consisting  of  the  2nd  artillery,  Major  Gait,  3rd  artil- 


FALL    OF    SAN    ANTONIO.  367 

lery,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bel  ton,  and  the  4th  infantry, 
Major  Lee,  with  the  battery  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Duncan,  moved  slowly  along  the  causeway  to  an  angle 
which  partially  masked  them  from  the  enemy's  fire, 
and,  at  the  same  time,  Colonel  Clarke  made  a  detour  to 
the  left,  with  the  second  brigade,  and  the  light  battalion, 
under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Smith,  through  thickets  of 
chaparral,  and  across  the  wide  bed  of  lava,  to  envelope 
the  right  of  the  position,  and  cut  oft'  the  retreat  of  the 
enemy.  Before  the  movement  could  be  completed,  the 
garrison  at  San  Antonio,  alarmed  at  the  capture  of  the 
intrenched  camp  of  Contreras,  commenced  evacuating 
the  works.  Guided  by  Captain  Mason,  of  the  engi 
neers,  Colonel  Clarke  performed  his  weary  march,  of 
more  than  two  miles,  in  a  very  short  time  ;  but,  on  ap 
proaching  the  causeway,  twelve  hundred  yards  in  rear 
of  San  Antonio,  the  enemy  were  discovered  in  full  re 
treat  towards  Churubusco.  Preceded  by  two  compa 
nies  of  the  5th  infantry,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Scott,  the  brigade  advanced  upon  the  road  and  cut  the 
Mexican  column  in  two — one  portion  continuing  their 
retreat  upon  Churubusco,  and  the  other  filing  off  to  the 
hamlet  of  Dolores,  between  the  causeway  and  Lake 
Xochimilco.  As  soon  as  Colonel  Clarke  opened  his 
fire,  Colonel  Garland  advanced  rapidly  in  column  upon 
San  Antonio.  The  enemy  had  withdrawn  most  of 
their  guns.  Five  pieces,  however,  which  they  had 
abandoned,  large  stores  of  public  property,  and  a  num 
ber  of  prisoners,  among  whom  was  one  general,  were 
captured. 

Six  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  San  Antonio,  Gen 
eral  Worth  reunited  his  division,  and  pressed  forward 
with  alacrity  upon  the  strong  fortifications  at  Churu 
busco.  Santa  Anna  had  now  concentrated  his  forces, 


368  ENTHUSIASM    OP    THE    SOLDIERS. 

at  least  25,000  in  number,  at  the  tete  du  pont  and  the 
fortified  church  of  San  Pablo,  and  upon  their  flanks, 
and  in  the  interval  and  rear.  The  cornfields  were 
filled  with  his  skirmishers,  and  the  wall  around  the 
church,  its  roof  and  towers,  and  the  tops  of  the  adjoin 
ing  convent,  and  other  buildings  along  the  line  of  bat 
tle,  were  crowded  with  dense  masses  of  infantry. 

Approaching  Churubusco,  General  Worth  detached 
the  first  brigade  and  the  light  battalion,  obliquely  to  the 
right,  to  drive  the  Mexican  infantry  from  the  cornfields 
and  marshes,  and  approach  the  fortified  work  at  the 
bridge  on  that  flank.  The  6th  infantry,  under  Major 
Bonneville,  moved  directly  along  the  high  road  to  storm 
the  tete  du  pont  in  front,  exposed,  meanwhile,  to  a  rak 
ing  fire  of  grape,  canister,  and  musketry.  The  remain 
ing  regiments  of  the  second  brigade — the  5th  and  8th 
infantry,  under  Colonel  Mclntosh  and  Major  Waite — 
advanced  immediately  upon  the  right  of  the  road,  to 
co-operate  in  the  assault.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan, 
being  unable  to  counter-batter  the  heavier  metal  in 
front,  remained  in  reserve. 

While  giving  directions  to  his  battalions,  General 
Worth  was  joined  by  General  Pillow.  The  latter  had 
turned  to  the  left  on  hearing  of  the  fall  of  San  Antonio, 
had  crossed  over  two  deep  ditches,  with  the  brigade  of 
General  Cadwalader — the  rifle  regiment  having  rejoined 
their  brigade — and  was  advancing  against  the  enemy  in 
his  front.  The  officers  of  his  command  were  all  dis 
mounted,  and  struggled,  with  their  men,  through  the 
marshes,  on  foot.  Such  was  the  spirit  of  enthusiasm 
manifested  by  the  troops,  that  the  feeling  was  commu 
nicated  to  those  the  least  liable  to  be  moved  by  it ;  and 
Chaplain  McCarty,  of  Colonel  Clarke's  brigade,  was  the 
first  to  assist  in  pulling  down  the  growing  corn,  to  fill 


SEVERITY  OF  THE  BATTLE.  369 

up  a  ditch  foi  the  passage  of  the  troops  under  General 
Pillow. 

The  brigade  of  General  Smith,  with  which  General 
Twiggs  moved  upon  the  defences  of  San  Pablo,  was 
soon  warmly  engaged.  One  of  the  most  terrific  fires 
ever  witnessed,  was  poured  upon  the  column  from  both 
musketry  and  artillery.  The  leading  companies  of  the 
1st  artillery  were  almost  swept  away.  Captain  Taylor 
brought  his  battery  up,  and  opened  on  the  enemy — per 
sisting  in  holding  his  position,  though  fearfully  exposed, 
regardless  of  the  carnage  produced  around  him. 

Having  advanced  far  enough  on  the  road  which  he 
was  directed  to  follow,  to  gain  the  Mexican  rear,  Gen 
eral  Pierce  turned  to  the  right  with  his  brigade.  Mak 
ing  their  way  through  the  fields  of  corn,  and  flounder 
ing  through  the  difficult  morasses,  his  troops  approached 
the  enemy  at  the  hacienda  of  Portales.  General  Shields 
arrived  in  a  short  time  with  his  command,  and  moved 
further  to  the  left.  Sheltered  by  the  stone  buildings 
upon  and  near  the  causeway,  the  Mexicans  delivered  a 
most  effective  fire  upon  the  two  columns,  and  the  ac 
tion  now  became  general  along  the  entire  line. 

For  more  than  two  hours  a  continuous  roar  of  artil 
lery  shook  the  earth.  The  sharp  roll  of  musketry  was 
incessant.  Broad  torrents  of  flame  rolled  down  from 
the  enemy's  fortifications.  Lurid  columns  of  smoke 
shot  up  towards  the  sky,  and  mingled  in  a  heavy  can 
opy  over  the  field  of  combat.  The  air  seemed  "full  of 
daggers." 

The  clangor  of  the  battle  was  wild  and  high,  and  the 
voices  of  the  officers  could  no  longer  be  heard  in  the 
din.  Numbers  fell  at  every  discharge, — yet,  resistless 
and  impetuous  as  the  waters  of  the  ocean,  on  swept 


370  CAPTURE  Of  SAN  PABLO. 

the  American  soldiers,  wave  upon  wave,  bearing  every 
thing  before  them. 

The  Mexican  left  was  first  agitated  and  thrown  into 
disorder.  The  8th  and  5th  infantry — the  latter  now 
led  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Scott,  Colonel  Clarke  having 
been  wounded,  and  Colonel  Mclntosh  taking  command 
of  the  brigade — crossed  the  ditch,  and  carried  the  tete 
du  pont  with  the  bayonet.  The  6th  infantry  was  not 
far  behind,  and  the  llth  and  14th  infantry,  under  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Graham  and  Colonel  Trousdale,  followed 
immediately  thereafter.  About  the  same  time,  the 
Mexican  infantry,  opposed  to  Colonel  Garland's  brig 
ade  and  the  light  battalion,  began  to  waver  and  break, 
and  retreated  towards  the  causeway,  with  the  victors 
dashing  after  them  in  pursuit. 

At  San  Pablo  the  enemy  still  held  out.  Captain  Tay 
lor's  battery  had  been  sadly  crippled,  and  was  ordered 
out  of  range.  Captain  L.  Smith,  and  Lieutenant  Snel- 
ling,  of  the  8th  infantry,  instantly  turned  the  fire  of  one 
of  the  guns  captured  in  the  tete  du  pont,  upon  the 
church ;  and  a  section  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan's 
battery,  supported  by  the  voltigeurs  under  Colonel  An 
drews,  was  also  brought  to  bear  upon  the  principal  face 
of  the  work,  at  a  short  range,  from  the  San  Antonio 
causeway.  This  determined  the  contest.  The  3rd  in 
fantry,  under  Captain  Alexander,  followed  by  the  1st 
artillery,  under  Major  Dimmick,  now  pressed  forward 
for  the  assault,  and  Colonel  Riley  was  moving  against 
the  left  flank  of  the  position,  with  the  2nd  infantry, 
under  Captain  Morris,  and  the  7th  infantry,  under  Lieu, 
tenant  Colonel  Plympton.  Captain  Smith  and  Lieuten 
ant  Shepherd,  with  their  companies  of  the  3rd  infantry, 
gallantly  entered  the  work,  and  planted  the  regimental 
colors,  as  the  enemy  threw  out  white  flags,  on  all  sides 


THE    LEFT    WING.  371 

of  the  church,  as  signals  of  surrender.  General  Rincon, 
the  commanding  officer,  and  a  large  number  of  other 
officers  and  soldiers,  among  whom  was  a  battalion,mostly 
foreigners,  composed  of  deserters  from  the  American 
army,  were  made  prisoners.  General  Scott,  who  had 
been  wounded  by  a  grape  shot,  arrived  at  the  church 
soon  after  the  surrender,  and  was  greeted  with  deaf 
ening  cheers  by  his  brave  troops. 

On  the  extreme  left,  the  brigades  of  General  Shields 
and  Pierce  had  sustained  themselves  manfully.  Faint 
ing  from  pain  and  exhaustion,  General  Pierce  was  borne 
from  the  field.  The  9th  infantry  under  Colonel  Ran 
som,  the  12th  under  Captain  Wood — Lieutenant  Colo 
nel  Bonham  having  been  wounded  in  the  morning — 
and  the  15th  under  Colonel  Morgan,  advanced  against 
the  enemy  with  the  steadiness  of  veterans.  Colonel 
Morgan  was  severely  wounded,  and  transferred  the 
command  of  his  regiment  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  How 
ard.  Colonel  Butler,  of  the  South  Carolina  volunteers, 
fell  dead  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  and  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Dickinson  also  receiving  a  mortal  wound,  Ma 
jor  Gladden  assumed  the  command.  Colonel  Burnett 
was  likewise  dreadfully  wounded,  and  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Baxter  took  charge  of  the  New  York  regiment. 
It  was  a  noble  sight  to  witness  the  strife  between  the 
Palmettos  and  the  New  Yorkers.  Side  by  side,  and 
shoulder  to  shoulder,  they  moved  against  the  enemy, 
each  striving  to  be  foremost  in  the  encounter.  Twice 
were  the  colors  of  the  New  York  regiment  shot  down, 
but  they  were  snatched  again  by  some  brave  spirit, 
ready  to  peril  all  in  their  defence.  Both  regiments  lost 
more  than  one-third  of  their  number  in  this  fearful 
struggle,  and  the  clothing  of  the  survivors  was  literally 
riddled  by  the  bullets.  At  length,  the  fire  of  the  Amer- 


372       COMPLETE  DEFEAT  OF  THE  ENEMY. 

ican  muskets,  and  the  howitzer  battery  actively  served 
by  Lieutenant  Reno,  aided  by  the  panic  communicated 
by  the  troops  giving  way  in  front,  and  followed  by  a 
charge  with  the  bayonet,  caused  the  enemy's  infantry 
to  falter,  and  with  their  supports  of  cavalry,  to  retreat 
towards  the  capital.  General  Shields  instantly  fol 
lowed,  and  succeeded  in  taking  a  number  of  prisoners. 
Major  Sumner  had  been  ordered  to  support  the  left 
wing,  understood  to  be  hardly  pressed,  with  the  rifles, 
previously  held  in  reserve,  and  a  troop  of  the  2nd  dra 
goons  under  Captain  Sibley,  but  he  did  not  come  up  until 
the  contest  \vas  over. 

The  Mexicans  no  longer  made  serious  resistance 
The  causeway  was  covered  with  the  masses  of  the  re 
treating  troops  ;  and  General  Shields,  with  his  command, 
meeting  the  forces  of  Generals  Worth  and  Pillow  in 
the  road,  joined  them  in  the  pursuit.  At  the  special 
request  of  Colonel  Harney,  the  way  was  cleared,  and  he 
was  permitted  to  follow  the  enemy  with  a  part  of  his 
brigade,  up  to  the  gate  of  San  Antonio,  interchanging 
sabre-cuts  with  the  Mexican  lancers,  and  cutting  down 
all  who  refused  to  surrender.  The  recall  was  sounded 
when  the  battery  at  the  garita  opened  on  the  pursuing 
"force  ;  but  Captain  Kearny,  of  the  1st  dragoons,  who 
headed  the  charge  with  his  troop,  and  that  of  Captain 
McReynolds  of  the  3rd,  persisted  in  remaining  until 
Major  Mills,  of  the  15th  infantry,  who  accompanied 
him,  was  killed,  and  most  of  the  officers  of  the  squad 
ron,  himself  among  the  number,  were  badly  wounded. 

The  trophies  of  this  memorable  day,  which  had  wit 
nessed  such  a  series  of  brilliant  triumphs,  including  the 
captures  at  Contreras,  were  thirty -seven  pieces  of 'siege 
and  field  ordnance  ;  large  numbers  of  small  arms,  stand 
ards,  pack  n.ules  and  horses;  and  vast  quantities  oi 


RESULTS    OF    THE    VICTORY.  373 

shot,  shells,  and  ammunition.  The  enemy  lost  4,000 
men  in  killed  and  wounded,  and  there  were  205  officers 
and  2,432  rank  and  file,  taken  prisoners.  Among  the 
captured  officers  were  Generals  Garey,  Anaya,  Salas, 
Mendoza,  Blanco,  Garcia,  Arellano,  and  Rincon.  The 
first  two  being  members  of  the  Mexican  Congress,  were 
unconditionally  released,  by  order  of  General  Scott.* 
Generals  Frontera  and  Mexia  were  killed. 

The  American  loss,  though  much  less  in  proportion, 
was  still  very  severe.  There  were  137  killed,  embrac 
ing  some  of  the  bravest  and  most  estimable  officers, 
879  wounded,  and  40  missing. f 

At  sunset  the  battle  was  ended.  Taking  advantage 
of  the  panic  that  prevailed,  General  Scott  might,  per 
haps,  have  immediately  forced  his  way  into  the  capital. 
He  had  but  8,000  effective  men,  most  of  whom  had 
been  fasting,  and  fighting  with  the  elements  and  the 
enemy,  for  the  last  thirty-six  hours ;  and  the  enterprise 
was  too  hazardous  to  be  undertaken.  The  powers 
of  endurance  of  his  men  might  have  sustained  them 
still  further  ;  but  had  they  proved  unequal  to  the  task, 
the  morning  sun  would  have  smiled  on  their  folly  and 
disgrace. 

*  Report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hitchcock,  acting  Inspector  General, 
lugust  25th.  1847. 

f  Nineteen  American  officers  were  killed,  or  mortally  wounded,  dur- 
ng  the  operations  of  the  18th,  19th,  and  20th  of  August,  viz:— Captain 
Thornton,  2nd  dragroons;  Captains  Capron  and  M.  T.  Burke,  and 
Lieutenants  Hoffman,  Irons,  and  Johnstone,  1st  artillery;  Captain 
J.  W.  Anderson  and  Lieutenant  Easly,  2nd  infantry  ;  Lieutenant  Ba 
con,  tith  infantry;  Captain  Hanson,  7th  infantry;  Major  Mills,  Cap 
tain  Quarks,  and  Lieutenants  Goodman  and  Goodloe,  15th  infantry; 
Lieutenant  Chandler,  New  York  Volunteers  ;  and  Colonel  Butler,  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Dickinson,  and  Lieutenants  Adams  and  Williams,  of 
the  South  Carolina  volunteers. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

EL    MOLING    DEL    KEY. 

The  Armistice— Fruitless  attempt  at  Negotiation — Bad  faith  of  the  Mex 
ican  authorities — Political  dissensions — Violation  and  Rupture  of  the 
Truce — Correspondence  between  General  Scott  and  Santa  Anna — 
Reconnaissances — Assault  of  El  Molino  del  Rey  and  Casa  de  JMata 
—Severity  of  the  Action — The  enemy  driven  from  their  Position. 

WITH  a  victorious  enemy  knocking  at  the  gates  of 
the  Capita],  and  the. booming  thunder  of  their  artillery 
echoing  through  the  valley,  the  Mexican  government 
and  people  had  cause  for  alarm  and  apprehension. 
Their  last  stronghold  was  at  the  mercy  of  the  con 
queror.  They  had  been  steadily  driven  from  one  de 
fence  to  another, — and  the  final  overwhelming  defeat 
at  Contreras  and  Churubusco,  filled  the  city  with  con 
sternation.  In  this  season  of  tribulation  there  was  no 
lack  of  counsellors.  Some,  mindful  of  the  heroism  dis 
played  by  their  gallant  kinsmen  at  Saragossa,  exhorted 
their  countrymen  to  convert  every  house  into  a  fortifi 
cation,  and,  if  summoned  to  surrender,  to  return,  as  their 
only  answer,  "  War,  to  the  knife !"  Others  appealed  to 
the  memories  of  Iturbide,  Hidalgo,  and  Morelos,  the 
heroes  of  Mexican  Independence,  and  entreated  their 
descendants  to  imitate  their  bravery  and  daring. 

The  enemies  of  Santa  Anna  attributed  the  disasters 
which  had  befallen  the  armies  of  the  republic,  to  his  in- 
competency  as  a  commander  ;  but  this  was  no  time  for 
unavailing  complaints.  The  peril  was  imminent, — the 
crisis  immediate.  There  was  but  one  alternative: — 


EXCITEMENT    IN    THE    CITV.  375 

.ney  must  either  abandon  the  indefensible  position 
\vhich  they  had  hitherto  occupied, — that  of  refusing  to 
hear  any  proposition  from  the  American  government, — 
or  prepare  to  meet  her  soldiers,  foot  to  foot,  for  a  last 
struggle,  like  the  dauntless  Guatemozin  and  his  brave 
Aztecs,  at  their  own  firesides. 

Santa  Anna  and  his  ministers  instantly  decided  upon 
procuring  a  cessation  of  hostilities, — not  so  much  with 
the  hope  of  concluding  a  peace,  unless  it  would  leave 
him  firmly  seated  in  power,  as  for  the  purpose  of  gain 
ing  time  to  revive  the  spirits  of  his  soldiers,  and  to 
strengthen  the  defences  of  the  city.  At  his  instigation, 
the  British  Consul,  with  other  foreign  residents,  visited 
General  Scott,  on  the  night  of  the  20th  of  August, 
while  the  smoke  of  the  conflict  still  lingered  over  the 
battle  field,  and  admonished  him  not  to  be  too  precipitate, 
lest  a  spirit  of  national  desperation  should  be  aroused, 
and  the  war  unnecessarily  protracted.  They  also  rep 
resented,  that  the  Mexican  President  was  disposed  to 
enter  into  negotiations,  but  that  the  influence  of  his  en 
emies  was  so  great,  and  the  popular  prejudices  were 
such,  that  he  was  unable  to  make  the  first  advances. 
Remembering  that  his  mission  was  to  conquer,  not  the 
country,  but  a  fair  and  honorable  peace,  General  Scott 
had  already  determined  to  give  the  enemy  time  for  re 
flection,  and  to  sacrifice  to  patriotism,  "  the  eclat  that 
would  have  followed  an  entrance,  sword  in  hand,  into, 
a  great  capital."*  Though  nothing  definite  was  de 
cided  on  at  this  interview,  his  visitors  parted  from  him 
with  the  assurance,  that  he  would  do  nothing  derogatory 
to  the  character  he  had  exhibited  throughout  the  cam 
paign, — that  of  a  magnanimous  victor. 

*  Official  report  of  General  Scott  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Augurt 
28th,  1847. 


376  THE    ARMISTICE. 

While  making  his  preparations  at  Coyoacan,  on  the 
morning  of  the  21st,  to  take  up  the  necessary  battering 
or  assaulting  positions,  to  authorize  him  to  summon  the 
city  to  surrender,  General  Scott  was  waited  on  by 
General  Mora  y  Villamil,  who  came  out  to  propose  a 
truce.  The  terms  which  were  suggested  being  unsatis 
factory,  the  American  commander  dispatched  his  con 
templated  note  to  Santa  Anna,  omitting  the  summons 
to  surrender,  and  signifying  his  willingness  to  consent 
to  an  armistice  with  a  view  to  negotiation.*  On  tho 
same  day  a  reply  was  received  from  Alcorta,  the  Mexi 
can  Minister  of  War,  accepting  the  proposition,  and 
stating  that  Generals  Mora  y  Villamil  andQuijano  had 
been  appointed  Commissioners  on  the  part  of  the  Mexi 
can  government,  to  settle  the  terms  of  the  armistice. 
Generals  Quitman,  P.  F.  Smith,  and  Pierce,  were  se 
lected  by  General  Scott  to  represent  the  American 
army  ;  and  on  the  24th  instant,  the  armistice,  signed  by 
the  Commissioners,  was  duly  ratified  by  the  command 
ers  of  the  two  armies. 

*  The  note  written  by  General  Scott  was  as  follows : 

"  Head  Quarters,  Army  U.  S.  America,  £ 
Coyoacan,  August  21,  1847.  $ 

"To  his  Excellency,  the  President  and  General  > 
in  Chief  of  the  Republic  of  Mexico.  $ 

"  SIR: — Too  much  blood  has  already  been  shed  in  this  unnatural  war 
between  the  two  great  Republics  of  this  Continent.  It  is  time  that  the 
differences  between  them  should  be  amicably  and  honorably  settled ;  and 
it  is  known  to  your  Excellency,  that  a  Commissioner  on  the  part  of  the 
United  States,  clothed  with  full  powers  to  that  end,  is  with  this  army 
To  enable  the  two  Republics  to  enter  on  negotiation,  I  am  willing  to 
sign,  on  reasonable  terms,  a  short  armistice. 

"  I  shall  wait  with  impatience  until  to-morrow  morning  for  a  direct 
answer  to  this  communication ;  but  shall,  in  the  meantime,  seize  and 
occupy  such  positions  outside  of  the  capital,  as  I  may  deem  necessary 
to  the  shelter  and  comfort  of  this  army. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  with  high  consideration  and  respect, 
your  Excellency's  most  obedient  servant. 

"WlNFIELD    SCOTT." 


APPOINTMENT    OF    COMMISSIONERS.  377 

The  convention  thus  agreed  upon, — which  was  to 
remain  in  force  while  negotiations  were  in  progress,  or 
until  formal  notice  should  be  given,  by  either  com 
mander,  of  its  cessation,  and  for  forty-eight  hours  there 
after, — provided,  among  other  conditions,  that  neither 
army  should  be  reinforced  during  its  continuance ;  that 
nothing  should  be  done  to  enlarge  or  strengthen  any 
work  of  offence  or  defence,  within  thirty  leagues  of 
the  city  of  Mexico ;  that  no  new  work  of  that  charac 
ter  should  be  commenced ;  that  the  passage  of  supplies 
from  the  country  into  the  city,  and  from  the  city  or  the 
country  into  the  American  camp,  should  not  be  ob 
structed  ;  and  that  trade  should  remain  unmolested.* 

Immediately  after  the  conclusion  of  the  armistice, 
Generals  Herreraf  and  Mora  y  Villamil,  and  Seilores 
Conto  and  Atristain,  were  appointed  Commissioners  by 
the  Mexican  authorities,  to  treat  with  Mr.  Trist,  the 
American  Commissioner,  who  had  accompanied  General 
Scott  from  Puebla.  The  mission  of  the  latter  was 
solely  a  precautionary  measure,  adopted  in  consequence 
of  the  distance  from  the  seat  of  war  to  the  capital  of 
the  United  States  ;  and  as  the  confidential  agent  of  the 
Executive,  with  very  little  discretionary  power,  he  took 
with  him  the  projet,  or  outlines,  of  a  treaty  prepared 
at  Washington. 

+  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  1,  (p.  356,)  1st  session,  30th  Congress. 

•f  Herrera,  at  first,  declined  the  appointment,  upon  the  ground  that  he 
Lad  been  ostracized,  on  a  former  occasion,  for  expressing  a  willingness 
to  hear  the  propositions  of  Mr.  Slidell.  Though  ready  enough  to  con 
nive  at  the  fraud  about  to  be  practised  on  the  American  army,  he  did 
not  care  to  be  an  active  participator  in  the  transaction.  Subsequently, 
however,  he  was  persuaded  to  accept, — influenced,  probably,  by  the  fact, 
that  under  the  full  instructions  prepared  by  Santa  Anna  and  his  cabi 
net,  who  assumed  all  the  responsibility,  the  Commissioners  were  the 
mere  passive  agents  of  the  Executive. — Senate  Exec.  Doc.  I,  (p.  41,) 
1st  session,  30th  Congress. 

J  Letter  of  Mr.  Buchanan  to  Mr.  Trist,  Julj  13th,  1847. 


378  FIRST    PROPOSITION    OF    MR.    TRIST. 

Several  conferences  were  held  between  the  Commis 
sioners  of  the  two  governments,  and  on  the  27th  of  Au 
gust,  Mr.  Trist  submitted  a  proposition,  in  accordance 
with  his  instructions,  which  provided,  in  substance,  that 
there  should  be  a  firm  and  universal  peace ;  that  all 
forts,  with  their  armaments,  and  all  territories  and  pos 
sessions,  captured  by  the  American  army,  belonging  to 
Mexico,  under  the  terms  of  the  treaty,  should  be  re 
stored  to  her;  that  the  boundary  line  between  the  two  re 
publics  should  be  the  Rio  Grande,  to  its  intersection  with 
the  southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico,  and  thence  to 
run  along  such  boundary,  and  the  western  line  of  New 
Mexico,  to  the  first  branch,  or  to  some  point  nearest  the 
first  branch  of  the  Rio  Gila,  and  thence  down  the  Rio 
Gila,  the  Rio  Colorado,  and  the  Gulf  of  California,  to 
the  Pacific  ocean  ;  and  that,  as  a  consideration  for  this 
extension  of  the  boundaries  of  the  United  States,  the 
latter  should  satisfy  the  claims  of  her  citizens  against 
the  Mexican  government,  and,  in  addition  thereto,  pay 
to  Mexico  a  certain  sum  of  money,  to  be  fixed  upon  be 
fore  signing  the  treaty.* 

It  was  well  understood  by  the  Commissioners  of  both 
countries,  that  Mexico  was  without  the  means  to  dis 
charge  the  American  claims,  and  indemnify  the  United 
States  for  the  expenses  of  the  war,  except  by  the  ces 
sion  of  some  part  of  her  territory.  But  the  Mexican 
Commissioners  were  unwilling  to  adopt  the  Rio  Grande 
as  a  boundary  line,  or  to  cede  any  thing,  except  an  in 
considerable  portion  of  California.  Prevarication  and 
delay  characterized  their  proceedings,  as  they  had  for- 

*  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  20,  (p.  4,)  1st  session,  30th  Congress. — By  an 
act  of  Congress,  passed  at  the  session  of  1846-7,  the  sum  of  three  mill 
ions  of  dollars  was  placed  at  the  disposal  of  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  to  be  employed,  if  necessary,  in  the  negotiation  of  a  peace. 


SECOND    PROPOSITION.  379 

merly  done  those  of  other  Mexican  negotiators.  At  a 
conference  held  on  the  2nd  of  September,  Mr.  Trist 
stated  to  the  Mexican  Commissioners,  that  if  they  would 
submit  to  him  a  proposition, — providing  that  the  boun 
dary  line  should  follow  the  course  of  the  Nueces  to  the 
Laguna  de  las  Yuntas — thence  running  westward  to  the 
Rio  Puerco — thence  up  that  river  to  the  parallel  of  lati 
tude,  six  geographical  miles  north  of  the  fort  at  El  Pasa 
del  Norte,  on  the  Rio  Grande* — thence  west  along  that 
parallel  to  the  western  boundary  of  New  Mexico — 
thence,  following  the  line  prescribed  in  his  first  proposi 
tion,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Gila — thence  up  or  down 
that  river  to  the  thirty-third  parallel  of  latitude — and 
thence  along  that  parallel  to  the  Pacific  ocean  ;  and  that 
the  territory  between  the  Rio  Grande  and  the  Nueces 
should  remain  forever  neutral,  to  be  occupied  by  the 
citizens  of  neither  republic, — he  would  transmit  it  to 
his  government  by  express,  and  await  its  action. f 

The  Mexican  Commissioners  were  willing  to  submit 
this  proposition,  or  rather  they  professed  a  willingness 
to  submit  it,  but  refused  to  grant  the  necessary  time  for 

*  This  is,  very  nearly,  the  southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico  ;  con 
sequently,  the  proposed  line  would  have  embraced  almost  the  whole  of 
that  province. 

f  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  20,  (p.  8,)  1st  session,  30th  Congress. — The  in- 
Titation  of  Mr.  Trist  to  the  Mexican  Commissioners,  to  submit  this  pro 
position,  was  unauthorized  by  the  President  of  the  United  States,  and 
was  promptly  disapproved. — Special  Message  of  President  Polk,  Feb 
ruary  2,  1848.  Had  not  this  novel  idea, — of  a  boundary,  to  consist  of 
a  neutral  strip  of  land, — been  countenanced  by  many  eminent  states 
men,  it  would  have  very  little  to  recommend  it  to  favor.  No  govern 
ment,  and,  least  of  all,  one  whose  highest  aim  it  ought  to  be,  to  avoid  all 
causes  of  contention,  should  desire  to  be  bounded  by  neutral  territory, 
which  must  necessarily  become,  in  spite  of  laws  and  regulations,  the 
refuge  and  hiding-place  of  outlaws  and  bandits, — and  the  theatre  of  in 
cessant  broils  and  strifes,  in  which,  sooner  or  later,  the  contiguous  gov 
ernments  would  be  involved. 


380  COUNTER-PROJ£T. 

Mr.  Trist  to  communicate  with  his  government.  The 
insincerity  of  the  professions  of  the  Mexican  authori 
ties  in  relation  to  their  desire  to  conclude  a  peace,  was 
now  made  manifest ;  but,  on  the  6th  of  September,  their 
Commissioners,  aware  that  they  must  submit  some  for 
mal  proposition,  in  order  to  preserve  appearances",  pre 
sented  to  Mr.  Trist  a  counter-projet,  in  which  it  was 
required  that  all  forts,  with  their  armaments,  and  all 
territories  and  possessions  captured  by  the  American 
army,  and  all  the  artillery  taken  outside  such  forts, 
should  be  restored ;  that  the  dividing  line  between  the 
two  republics  should  be  the  Nueces  to  its  source, — 
thence  to  run,  in  a  straight  line,  to  the  east-south-east 
frontier  of  New  Mexico — thence  along  the  boundary 
of  New  Mexico,  on  the  east,  north,  and  west,  to  the 
thirty-seventh  degree  of  latitude — and  thence  along 
that  parallel  to  the  Pacific  ocean — Mexico  undertaking 
not  to  found  any  new  settlements  or  colonies  in  the  ter 
ritory  lying  between  the  Nueces  and  the  Rio  Grande ; 
that  the  United  States  should  pay  the  American  claims, 
and  also  make  a  pecuniary  compensation  to  Mexico  ; 
and  further,  that  the  claims  of  Mexican  citizens,  for  in 
juries  sustained  in  the  prosecution  of  the  war  by  the 
American  army,  should  be  satisfied  by  the  government 
of  the  United  States.* 

Leaving  out  of  view  the  other  objectionable  features 
of  the  counter-projet  of  the  Mexican  Commissioners, — 
the  surrender  of  the  artillery  captured  outside  of  the 
permanent  fortifications  of  Mexico,  and  the  indemnity 
to  be  paid  to  her  citizens, — which  could  never  have  been 
submitted  to  with  honor,  the  territory  proposed  to  be 
ceded  was  of  comparatively  insignificant  value.  The 
boundaries  specified  by  the  Mexican  Commissioners 

*  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  20,  (p.  12,)  1st  session,  30th  Congress. 


THE    NEGOTIATIONS    CLOSED.  381 

embraced  only  a  small  portion  of  California,  including, 
it  is  true,  the  bay  and  harbor  of  San  Francisco;  but, 
without  some  portion,  or  all  of  New  Mexico,  the  terri 
tory  thus  acquired  would  have  been,  in  effect,  isolated 
from  the  other  American  possessions.  Mr.  Trist  there 
fore  informed  the  Mexican  Commissioners,  on  the  7th 
of  September,  that  the  terms  proposed  by  them  were 
wholly  inadmissible,  and  the  negotiations  were  here 
closed.*  Previous  to  this  time,  however,  the  armistice 
conceived  and  concluded,  on  the  part  of  Santa  Anna, 
in  bad  faith,  had  been  finally  violated  without  excuse 
or  justification.! 

The  foreign  residents  of  Mexico,  and  the  wealthier 
citizens,  whose  property  was  liable  to  be  injured  by  an 
assault  or  bombardment,  were  averse  to  a  continuation 
of  the  war  ;  but  the  political  opponents  of  Santa  Anna, 
Herrera  and  the  leading  federalists  among  the  number, 
preferred  hostilities,  to  the  conclusion  of  a  peace  under 
his  auspices  ;  the  followers  of  Paredes,  aware  of  his  re 
turn  to  Mexico,  and  influenced  by  similar  motives,  were 
also  clamorous  against  peace  ;  J  the  friends  of  the  Mex- 

*  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  20,  (p.  14,)  1st  session,  30th  Congress. 

f  Among  the  papers  found  in  the  National  Palace  of  Mexico,  after 
vhe  capture  of  the  city  by  the  American  army,  was  a  letter  addressed  by 
Santa  Anna,  on  the  3tst  of  August,  1817,  to  Rejon,  then  at  Queretaro, 
iji  which  he  assures  his  friend,  that  he  assented  to  the  application  of 
General  Scott  for  an  armistice,  because  it  would  "  give  his  troops  rest, 
re-establish  their  morale,"  and  afford  him  "  an  opportunity  to  collect  the 
dispersed,"  and  enable  him  "  to  adopt  other  measures  to  insure  a  re 
action."  It  is  possible,  however,  that  Santa  Anna  may  have  re?lly  de 
sired  peace,  provided  he  could  maintain  himself  in  power  ;  and  hence, 
probably,  with  a  hope  of  preserving  his  own  influence  at  home,  rather 
than  for  any  other  purpose,  the  conditions  and  instructions  prepared  by 
him  and  his  cabinet,  for  the  government  of  the  Commissioners,  upon 
which  their  counter-projet  was  based,  assumed  that  Mexico  was  the 
triumphant  party  to  the  war. 

t  Paredes  returned  from  his  exile  at  Havana,  and  was  landed  at  Vera 


382  POLITICAL    DISSENSIONS. 

ican  President,  as  well  as  himself,  saw  that  the  parch 
ment  on  which  a  treaty  should  be  written,  would  not 
become  dry,  ere  he  would  be  hurled  from  power  ;  and 
the  clergy  were  obliged  to  favor  the  prolongation  of  the 
contest,  through  fear  lest,  if  they  refused,  their  churches 
would  be  plundered  by  the  military  demagogues,  who 
could  not  forget  their  animosities,  even  when  their 
country  was  in  peril, 

At  a  previous  session  of  the  Mexican  Congress,  a 
resolution  had  been  passed,  providing  for  the  removal 
of  that  body  to  Queretaro  when  the  capital  should  be 
in  danger.  Disregarding  the  spirit  of  this  resolution, 
on  the  21st  of  August,  Santa  Anna  called  a  meeting 
of  Congress,  to  be  held  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  while  the 
negotiations  were  in  progress,  in  order  that  the  mem 
bers  might  be  conveniently  situated  to  act  on  any  propo 
sition,  having  reference  to  such  negotiations,  that  might 
be  submitted  to  them.  This  furnished  a  pretext  for 
complaint,  of  which  his  enemies  were  prompt  to  avail 
themselves.  On  the  22nd  of  August,  the  deputies  of 
Mexico,  Jalisco,  and  Zacatecas,  mainly  federalists,  or 
monarchists,  like  Paredes,  signed  a  protest  denouncing, 
in  advance,  any  treaty,  concluded  or  ratified  under  the 
guns  of  the  enemy.  The  "  Diario  del  Gobierno"  insisted, 
on  the  following  day,  that  the  proposition  of  General 
Scott  for  an  armistice,  was  acceded  to,  "  without  abate 
ment  of  Mexican  honor — tried,  yet  not  cast  down  by 
the  most  disastrous  fortune  ;" — but  the  opponents  of 
Santa  Anna,  though  willing  that  he  should  continue  the 
war  until  his  military  reputation  was  forever  destroyed, 

Cruz,  in  violation  of  the  blockade,  on  the  1 5th  of  August,  1847,  from 
the  British  steamer  Teviot,  one  of  the  vessels  ot  the  Royal  Mail  Steam 
Packet  Company.  In  justice  to  the  company  it  must  be  added,  that 
upon  a  representation  of  the  facts,  the  board  of  directors  promptly  dis 
missed  the  captain  of  the  steamer  from  their  service. 


MEXICAN    FAITH.  383 

were  opposed  to  his  concluding  a  peace  with  the  enemy, 
and  were  powerful  enough  to  prevent  it.  Seventy 
members  of  Congress  retired  to  Toluca,  declaring  their 
unwillingness  to  deliberate  in  the  capital ;  and  on  the 
30th  of  August,  the  Congress  of  the  State  of  Mexico, 
in  session  at  Toluca,  pronounced  against  peace.  Simi 
lar  sentiments  were  heard  from  the  rabble  in  the  streets, 
instigated  by  the  clergy  and  the  disaffected  ;  the  pas 
sage  of  supplies  to  the  army  of  General  Scott,  was  re 
peatedly  obstructed  by  the  populace,  and  soldiers  in  dis 
guise  ;  American  traders,  long  residents  of  the  city, 
were  molested  ;  and  the  Mexican  authorities  did  not, 
or  dare  not,  interfere  to  prevent  those  violations  of  the 
armistice. 

Matters  were  thus  unfavorably  situated,  when  Mr. 
Trist  invited  the  Mexican  Commissioners  to  submit  to 
him  the  proposition  laid  before  them  on  the  2nd  of 
September.  This  was  regarded  as  his  ultimatum  on 
the  subject  of  boundaries,  and  as  soon  as  it  had  been 
considered  in  a  council  of  ministers  and  others,  before 
the  Mexican  Commissioners  presented  their  counter- 
projet,  and  without  notice  to  the  American  com 
mander,  Santa  Anna,  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  and 
in  violation  of  the  armistice,  actively  recommenced 
strengthening  the  defences  of  the  city, — alleging,  sub 
sequently,  in  a  note  to  General  Scott,  that  the  works 
already  constructed  had  been  merely  repaired,  so  as  to 
place  them  in  the  same  condition  they  were  in  on  the 
conclusion  of  the  armistice.*  Determined  no  longer 
to  place  any  reliance  on  the  Punic  faith  of  the  Mexican 

*  Official  Report  of  General  Scott  to  the  Secretary  of  War,  Septem 
ber  Ilth,  1847.— Reply  of  Santa  Anna  to  General  Scott,  September  6th, 
1847. — At  the  council  convoked  by  Santa  Anna,  it  was  determined  that 
hostilities  should  b«  recommenced  on  the  9th  mutant. 


894  RUPTURE    OF    THE    ARMISTICE. 

government,  General  Scott,  who  had  removed  his  head 
quarters  to  Tacubaya,  notified  Santa  Anna  on  the  6th 
of  September,  that,  unless  full  satisfaction  was  given 
for  the  violation  of  the  armistice,  before  twelve  o'clock, 
meridian,  on  the  following  day,  he  should  consider  it 
at  an  end  from  and  after  that  hour.  The  reply  of  the 
Mexican  President,  dated  on  the  same  day,  but  re 
ceived  on  the  morning  of  the  7th,  was  pronounced  by 
General  Scott  to  be  "  absolutely  and  notoriously  false, 
both  in  recrimination  and  explanation.''* 

So  careful  had  General  Scott  been  in  regard  to  in 
fringing  the  armistice,  that  the  engineer  officers  had 
suspended  their  reconnaissances,  while  his  troops  re 
mained  quietly  cantoned  in  Tacubaya,  and  the  neigh 
boring  villages.  The  city  and  its  fortifications  had, 
therefore,  yet  to  be  reconnoitred,  before  any  definite 
plan  of  attack  could  be  laid  down.  The  enemy  being 
reported  to  be  manoeuvring  on  the  San  Antonio  cause 
way,  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  September,  Captain 
Lee  was  dispatched  to  observe  their  movements,  but 
found  all  quiet  in  that  quarter,  and  on  the  Nino  Per- 
dido  and  Piedad  causeways,  intervening  between  the 
San  Antonio,  and  Tacubaya,  or  Chapultepec,  cause 
ways.  Two  days  previous,  General  Scott  had  been 
informed,  that  a  number  of  church-bells  had  been  sent 
out  from  the  city  to  El  Molino  del  Rey,  where  there 

*  Senate  Exec.  Doc.  1,  (pp.  355,  359,  360,)  1st  session,  30th  Congress. 
Santa  Anna  charged  the  American  army,  in  his  reply  to  General  Scott, 
with  plundering  the  Mexican  churches,  and  offering  violence  to  their 
women.  Nothing  could  have  been  more  false  or  groundless.  No  dis 
respect  was  ever  shown  to  the  religion  of  the  Mexican  people,  or  to  their 
places  of  worship,  which  went  unpunished,  if  brought  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  American  officers ;  and  at  Vera  Cruz,  a  soldier  was  hung  for 
committing  an  outrage  upon  a  Mexican  woman, — General  Scott  firmly 
refusing  to  pardon  the  offence. 


RECONNAISSANCES.  385 

was  said  to  be  a  cannon  foundry,  to  be  cast  into  guns. 
It  was  also  known,  that  there  was  a  large  deposit  of 
powder  in  Casa  de  Mata, — that  the  ammunition  was 
much  needed  by  the  enemy, — and  that,  without  the 
manufacture  of  new  pieces,  they  would  be  unable  to 
arm  all  the  works  at  the  different  gates. 

In  the  forenoon  of  the  7th  instant,  Captain  Mason 
made  a  reconnaissance  of  El  Molino  del  Rey, — ap 
proaching  near  enough  to  the  Mexican  lines  to  con 
verse  with  the  officers, — and  discovered  a  large  body 
of  troops  in  the  vicinity.  General  Scott  accordingly 
determined  to  leave  the  general  plan  of  attack  upon 
the  city  for  full  reconnaissances,  and,  as  it  was  impos 
sible  to  cut  the  communication  with  the  mill,  without 
first  carrying  the  fortifications  on  the  heights  of  Cha- 
pultepec,  for  which  he  was  not  yet  quite  prepared,  to 
drive  the  enemy  from  Casa  de  Mata  and  El  Molino, 
seize  the  powder,  and  destroy  the  foundry.  The  per 
formance  of  this  service,  to  be  executed  under  the  for 
midable  guns  of  Chapultepec,  was  assigned  to  the  vet 
eran  division  of  General  Worth,  then  quartered  at 
Tacubaya,  reinforced  by  the  brigade  of  General  Cad- 
walader,  from  General  Pillow's  division ;  three  squad 
rons  of  the  2nd  dragoons,  one  troop  of  the  1st  dragoons, 
part  of  a  troop  of  the  3rd  dragoons,  and  a  company  of 
mounted  rifles,  under  Major  Sumner ;  a  small  party 
of  sappers  under  Lieutenant  Foster,  of  the  engineers ; 
two  twenty-four  pounders  from  the  siege  train,  with  a 
detachment  of  ordnance  men,  under  Captain  Huger, 
acting  chief  of  ordnance  ;*  and  three  pieces  of  field 
artillery,  under  Captain  Drum,  with  his  company  of 

*  There  were  two  batteries  in  Mexico,  during  the  war,  served  by  ord' 
nance  men,  with  several  officers. 


386  ORDERS    GIVEN    TO    GENERAL    WORTH. 

the  4th  artillery.  The  whole  force,  in  the  aggregate, 
numbered  3,447. 

A  second  reconnaissance  was  made  by  Captain  Ma 
son,  in  company  with  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan,  and 
Lieutenant  Hardcastle,  of  the  topographical  engineers, 
in  the  afternoon  of  the  7th.  Generals  Scott  and 
Worth  also  carefully  reconnoitred  the  enemy's  line  of 
defences,  and  the  necessary  orders  were  then  given 
for  making  the  attack  at  daylight  on  the  following 
morning.  A  night  attack  had  been  in  contemplation, 
but  this  was  abandoned,  on  account  of  the  uncertain 
knowledge  derived  from  the  reconnaissances,  daring  as 
they  were.  The  configuration  of  the  ground,  and  the 
extent  of  the  enemy's  force,  were  ascertained,  but  a 
very  imperfect  idea  could  be  formed  if  the  nature  of 
their  defences,  which  were  skilfully  masked. 

In  the  evening  of  the  7th,  General  Worth  ordered 
one  of  Captain  Drum's  pieces,  an  eight-pounder,  in 
charge  of  Lieutenant  Benjamin,  to  be  sent  to  the 
picket  in  front  of  Chapultepec.  The  enemy  evidently 
anticipated  a  movement  of  some  kind,  and  scouting 
parties  were  frequently  sent  out  during  the  night. 
The  advance  guard  of  the  American  picket  was  once 
driven  in,  and  several  shots  were  fired  ;  but,  on  seeing 
the  port-fire  lighted  near  Lieutenant  Benjamin's  gun, 
no  further  attempt  at  molestation  was  made,  and  every 
thing  remained  quiet  till  three  o'clock  in  the  morning 
of  the  8th,  when  the  troops  were  ordered  under  arms. 

During  the  reconnaissances  of  the  previous  day,  the 
enemy  had  presented  an  extended  line  of  cavalry  and 
infantry,  with  their  right  resting  on  Casa  de  Mata,  and 
their  left  on  El  Molino  del  Rey.  Midway  between 
the  two  was  a  battery  of  four  pieces  of  field  artillery, 
supported  by  masses;  of  infantry.  In  the  course  of  the 


THE  ENEMY'S  POSITION.  387 

night  the  guns  were  removed  to  a  position  nearly  in 
front  of  the  mill, — thus  making  El  Molino  del  lley  the 
strong  point  of  the  position,  and  the  centre  the  weak 
one.  About  four  hundred  yards  west  of  Casa  de  Mata, 
there  was  a  deep  ravine,  impassable  except  near  the 
enemy's  line,  extending  some  distance  to  the  south, 
and  flanking  the  broad  plain  in  front.  On  the  south 
side  of  the  plain  the  ground  rose  into  a  ridge,  falling 
away  gradually  as  it  approached  Tacubaya,  something 
more  than  a  mile  from  El  Molinor — which  consisted 
of  a  long  range  of  buildings  facing  the  plain.  Thirty 
or  forty  yards  in  advance  of  Casa  de  Mata  and  El 
Molino  del  Rey,  both  of  which  were  slightly  elevated 
above  the  plain,  there  was  a  dry  ditch,  with  a  breast- 
height  for  the  protection  of  infantry,  reaching,  in  a 
semicircle,  from  the  mill  to  the  ravine.  Casa  de  Mata 
being  upon  a  retired  line,  a  column  approaching  over 
the  plain  would  necessarily  be  subject  to  a  severe  con 
verging,  or  flank  fire,  in  addition  to  that  in  front ;  ex 
cept  that,  as  the  road  to  Tacubaya  formed  the  prolon 
gation  of  the  enemy's  left,  an  attacking  force  moving 
forward  upon  that  route  would  be  less  exposed,  and 
possess  the  advantage  of  having  an  enfilading  fire  on 
that  flank. 

Quietly  and  orderly  the  American  troops  fell  into 
their  places,  before  daylight  on  the  8th  of  September  ; 
and  when  objects  could  be  first  discovered,  in  the  gray 
of  the  morning,  they  were  seen  drawn  up  in  readiness 
for  action,  within  six  hundred  yards  of  the  Mexican 
line.  Captain  Drum,  with  the  two  six-pounders  lost 
at  Buena  Vista,  but  recovered  at  Contreras,  was  posted 
on  the  road  leading  north  from  Tacubaya,  past  the 
western  front  of  El  Molino  del  Rey.  Colonel  Garland 
was  ordered  to  support  the  battery,  and  in  time  assault 


388  AMERICAN    LINE    OF    BATTLE. 

the  enemy's  left,  with  his  brigade.  The  2nd  artillery 
moved  out  under  Captain  Mackenzie  ;  and  the  3rd 
under  Captain  M.  Burke, — Lieutenant  Colonel  Belton 
being  temporarily  absent  on  detached  service,  but  ar 
riving  in  time  to  lead  his  regiment  near  the  close  of  the 
action.  Three  hundred  yards  west  of  the  road,  on  the 
ridge,  were  the  heavy  battering  guns  of  Captain  Huger, 
supported  by  the  light  battalion  of  General  Worth's  di 
vision,  under  Captain  E.  Kirby  Smith,  of  the  5th  in 
fantry, — Lieutenant  Colonel  C.  F.  Smith  being  sick. 
A  little  to  the  left  of  Captain  Huger's  battery  was  an 
assaulting  column  of  five  hundred  picked  men,  with 
twelve  officers,  taken  from  the  different  regiments  of 
the  division,  commanded  by  Major  Wright,  of  the  8th 
infantry,  who  was  ordered  to  force  the  enemy's  centre 
as  soon  as  an  impression  had  been  made  by  the  bat 
teries.  The  second  brigade,  commanded  by  Colonel 
Mclntosh,  in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  Colonel 
Clarke, — Lieutenant  Colonel  Scott  taking  charge  of 
the  5th  infantry — was  posted,  with  Duncan's  battery, 
still  higher  up  the  ridge,  opposite  to  the  enemy's  right, 
to  make  the  attack  on  that  flank,  or  sustain  the  other 
corps,  as  might  be  necessary.  Major  Sumner  was  or 
dered  to  envelope  the  extreme  left  with  the  cavalry,  and 
be  governed  by  circumstances  ;  and  General  Cadwala- 
der  was  held  in  reserve  with  his  brigade,  between  the 
battering  guns  and  the  second  brigade  of  the  first  di 
vision. 

The  enemy  were  by  no  means  unprepared  for  the 
attack.  Their  long  lines  of  infantry,  tastefully  arrayed 
in  blue  and  white  uniforms,  filled  the  breastworks  in 
front  of  the  position,  the  roofs  of  Casa  de  Mata  and 
El  Molino  del  Rey,  and  the  space  between  them.  The 
artillery  was  placed  at  intervals,  amongst  the  infantry, 


ATTACK    OX    EL    MOLIXO    DEL    KEY.  389 

just  to  the  left  of  the  centre,  and  the  lancers,  under 
General  Alvarez,  with  their  gay  ensigns  and  curveting 
steeds,  their  yellow  cloaks  and  scarlet  caps  and  jackets, 
hovered  on  the  flanks  and  in-  rear  of  the  infantry.  Gen 
eral  Perez  occupied  Casa  de  Mata  with  1,500  regular 
troops,  and  General  Leon  was  posted  in  El  Molino 
del  Rev,  with  several  large  battalions  of  the  National 
Guard.  Santa  Anna  remained  further  in  the  rear,  be 
tween  Mexico  and  Morales,  with  a  heavy  reserve. 

At  early  dawn  General  Worth  ordered  Captain  Hu- 
ger  to  open  his  guns  on  El  Molino  del  Rey,  which  was 
the  signal  for  the  action  to  commence.  Having  an  ob- 
Sique  fire  on  the  e^my's  battery  and  right  wing,  Cap 
tain  Huger  servea  his  pieces  with  such  rapidity  and 
effect,  that  the  Mexicans  were  obliged  to  abandon  their 
guns,  and  portions  of  their  infantry  took  shelter  in  the 
mill,  whose  walls  trembled  at  every  discharge  from  the 
twenty-four  pounders.  The  assaulting  column  under 
Major  Wright,  headed  by  Captain  Mason,  Lieutenant 
Foster,  and  the  sappers  with  their  forcing  tools,  had 
gallantly  dashed  forward,  in  the  direction  of  the  Mexi 
can  battery,  at  the  opening  of  the  fire.  Unshaken  by 
the  galling  torrents  of  musketry  and  canister  poured 
upon  them,  they  reached  the  guns,  drove  back  the  ar 
tillerists  and  infantry  who  lingered  near  them,  with  their 
bayonets,  and  commenced  trailing  the  pieces  on  the 
retreating  masses  of  the  enemy.  Captain  Huger's  bat 
tery  was  now  masked  ;  and  discovering  the  feebleness 
of  the  force  that  had  daringly  advanced  under  the  very 
walls  of  El  Molino,  General  Leon  ordered  the  rally  to 
be  sounded,  and  bravely  led  his  men  to  the  rescue. 

A  most  terrific  fire  of  musketry  was  at  once  opened 
upon  the  assaulting  party.  Major  Wright,  Captain 
Mason,  and  Lieutenant  Foster,  were  wounded,  and 

19 


390  SEVERE    FIRE. 

eight  of  the  remaining  eleven  officers  attached  to  the 
command,  were  either  killed  or  wounded.  Non-com 
missioned  officers  and  men  were  cut  down  in  propor 
tion.  Staggered,  but  not  yet  beaten,  the  remnant  under 
Captain  Bomford,  of  the  8th  infantry,  manfully  stood 
their  ground.  Leaving  Lieutenant  Elzye,  of  the  2nd 
artillery,  to  cover  the  heavy  battery  with  his  company, 
Captain  E.  K.  Smith  instantly  advanced,  in  double- 
quick  time,  at  the  head  of  the  light  battalion ;  and  in  a 
few  moments  Lieutenant  Colonel  Graham,  of  General 
Cadwalader's  brigade,  was  ordered  to  follow  the  move 
ment  with  the  llth  infantry. 

Meanwhile  the  first  brigade,  under  Colonel  Garland, 
with  the  two  pieces  of  artillery  commanded  by  Captain 
Drum,  had  been  moving  forward  on  the  Tacubaya 
road.  A  slight  bend  allowed  them  to  approach  within 
two  hundred  yards  of  the  breastwork  in  front  of  El 
Molino,  without  being  seen.  Whilst  unlirabering  his 
guns,  Captain  Drum  encountered  a  severe  fire  of  grape 
from  the  enemy's  battery,  which  disabled  a  number  of 
his  horses.  The  animals  becoramg  frantic  from  their 
wounds,  he  cut  the  traces  and  v/orked  his  guns  by  hand, 
assisted  by  officers  and  men  of  different  corps.  Having 
fired  once  with  round  shot,  he  ran  his  guns  forward  to 
within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  breastwork,  and  opened 
on  the  enemy  with  canister.  The  light  battalion,  led 
by  their  intrepid  officers,  were  the  first  to  break  through 
the  Mexican  lines,  and  gain  an  archway  under  the 
buildings  of  El  Molino  del  Rey.  Being  joined  by  the 
first  brigade,  they  sprang  to  the  roofs  of  the  adjoining 
sheds,  and  commenced  a  warm  and  animated  contest 
for  the  possession  of  the  mill.  A  foothold  being  gained, 
the  Americans  would  not  be  driven  back.  The  Mexi 
can  troops  fought  bravely,  but  they  could  not  long  with* 


ASSAULT    OF    CASA    DE    MATA.  3*Jl 

stand  the  fierce  onset  of  soldiers  whose  spirits  appeared 
to  rise  with  the  severity  of  the  action. 

Blackened  with  smoke  and  gunpowder,  the  assailants 
drove  the  enemy  from  room  to  room.  Aided  by  the 
fire  of  Captain  Drum's  battery,  Captain  E.  K.  Smith 
headed  a  second  charge  on  the  enemy's  guns,  tempo 
rarily  recaptured,  in  which  he  fell  mortally  wounded, 
and  Captain  Reeve,  of  the  8th  infantry,  took  command 
of  the  light  battalion.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Graham  also 
advanced  upon  the  same  point  with  the  llth  infantry. 
This  determined  perseverance  decided  the  contest  on 
this  flank.  The  guns  wese  once  more  taken,  and  im 
mediately  manned  by  Lieutenant  Peck,  of  the  2nd  ar 
tillery,  and  Lieutenants  Harley,  McClelland,  and  Scott, 
of  the  llth  infantry.  Captain  Drum  then  fired  a  few 
rounds  on  a  body  of  the  enemy  in  the  mill,  when  they 
exhibited  a  white  flag,  and  surrendered  themselves  pris 
oners  of  war. 

On  the  American  left  the  conflict  had  been  still  more 
bloody  and  severe.  At  the  commencement  of  the  ac 
tion,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan  opened  a  vigorous  fire 
from  his  battery,  on  the  Mexican  right,  which  was  kept 
up  for  a  short  time,  when  Colonel  Mclntosh  was  or 
dered  to  assault  Casa  de  Matawith  the  second  brigade. 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan  continued  to  play  with  his 
guns,  over  the  heads  of  the  advancing  column,  until 
they  were  completely  masked.  He  then  moved  his 
pieces  to  the  extreme  left,  supported  by  the  voltigeurs 
under  Colonel  Andrews,  to  check  a  large  force  of  cav 
alry  and  infantry,  moving  rapidly  down  the  slopes  west 
of  the  ravine,  to  reinforce  the  enemy's  right.  Major 
Sumner  also  dashed  to  the  front,  changed  direction  in 
an  instant,  and  crossed  the  ravine  within  range  of  Casa 
de  Mata,  under  an  appalling  fire  which,  in  a  very  few 


392  TERRIBLE    LOSS    OF    LIFE. 

seconds,  killed  or  wounded  between  forty  and  fifty  of 
his  officers  and  men,  and  over  one  hundred  horses 
Successive  charges  were  made  by  General  Alvarez  with 
his  lancers  ;  but  they  were  always  checked  by  the  fire 
of  Duncan's  battery  and  the  voltigeurs,  from  the  other 
bank  of  the  ravine,  and  of  one  of  the  twenty-four 
pounders,  turned  in  this  direction,  and  actively  served 
by  Lieutenant  Hagner,  of  the  ordnance  ;  and  by  the 
prompt  and  skilful  evolutions  of  Major  Sumner,  who 
remained  on  this  flank  with  the  cavalry  until  the  close 
of  the  engagement. 

Instead  of  an  ordinary  field  intrenchment,  as  was 
supposed,  Casa  de  Mata  proved  to  be  a  strong  stone 
citadel,  recently  repaired  and  enlarged,  with  bastions 
and  impassable  ditches.  With  a  step  as  blithe  and  free 
as  if  moving  on  parade,  the  column  under  Colonel 
Mclntosh  advanced  against  the  position.  Dense  masses 
of  Mexican  infantry  crowded  the  roof  and  adjacent 
breastworks.  Closer  and  closer  the  Americans,  now 
deployed  in  line,  pressed  upon  them.  Within  one  hun 
dred  yards  they  encountered  a  destructive  fire.  Prompt 
ly  returning  it,  they  rushed  forward  with  charged  bay 
onets.  The  enemy  fell  back  from  their  first  line,  at  the 
breastwork,  and  rallied  on  the  second.  Exposed  to  a 
murderous  discharge  of  musketry  from  Casa  de  Mata, 
and  to  a  raking  fire  from  El  Molino,  the  assailing  troops 
continued  their  advance  until  they  reached  the  ditch 
and  breast-height,  within  thirty  yards  of  the  Mexican 
position.  Here  the  carnage  was  terrible.  Partly  shel 
tered  by  the  stone  wall,  the  Americans  calmly  loaded 
their  guns,  and  picked  oft'  their  men.  At  length  many 
of  their  pieces  became  foul,  their  ammunition  was  nearly 
expended,  and  their  ranks  fearfully  thinned.  A  scathing 


SLAUGHTER    OF    OFFICERS.  393 

torrent  of  flame  rolled  down  upon  them,  through  which 
it  was  impossible  to  pass  with  life. 

Colonel  Mclntosh  fell  mortally  wounded  ;  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Scott  was  killed  while  urging  his  men  to  cross 
the  ditch  ;*  and  Major  Waite,  commanding  the  8th  in 
fantry,  was  also  severely  wounded.  The  5th  infantry 
was  nearly  deprived  of  officers,  and  Assistant  Surgeon 
Roberts  received  a  mortal  wound  while  acting,  as  a 
volunteer,  in  that  capacity.  The  6th  infantry  suffered 
in  like  manner ;  three  color  bearers  of  the  8th  were 
killed,  and  the  fourth  badly  wounded.  One-third  of 
the  brigade,  including  one  half  the  officers,  were  killed 
or  wounded.  Confusion  became  unavoidable ;  and  the 
column  retired  to  the  left  of  Duncan's  battery,  leaving 
behind  them  several  wounded  officers  and  men,  who, 
though  helpless  and  unresisting,  were  cruelly  butchered 
by  the  enemy.  Having  assisted  in  driving  away  the 
lancers  on  the  left,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan  now 
turned  his  guns  on  the  masses  of  Mexican  infantry 
crowding  in  and  around  Casa  de  Mata,  and  rained  upon 
them  a  constant  shower  of  cannon  balls. 

At  the  same  time,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Graham,  after 
the  enemy's  centre  had  been  forced,  directed  Major 
Hunter  to  enter  El  Molino  with  a  portion  of  the  llth 
infantry,  and  advanced  against  Casa  de  Mata  with  the 
remainder  of  his  command.  Already  twice  wounded, 

*  The  death  of  no  officer  was  more  deeply  deplored  than  that  of  Lieu 
tenant  Colonel  Scott.  He  had  advanced  to  the  breast-height,  and,  desi 
rous  of  encouraging  his  men  by  his  example,  refused  to  shelter  himself 
behind  it.  A  brother  officer  near  him  entreated  that  he  would  not  ex 
pose  himself  unnecessarily.  His  reply  was  characteristic  : — "  Martin 
Scott,"  said  he,  "  has  never  yet  stooped  !"  The  next  moment  a  ball  en 
tered  his  heart.  He  fell  upon  his  back,  deliberately  placed  his  cap  on 
his  breast,  and  died.  Commanded  by  officers  like  him,  it  is  not  to  be 
wondered,  that  the  American  soldiers  should  dare  any  peril. 


394        GENERAL  ROUT  OF  THE  ENEMY. 

he  urged  forward  his  men,  till  he  was  struck  from  his 
horse  by  two  additional  and  mortal  wounds ;  exclaim 
ing  as  he  fell — "  Forward,  my  men  ! — my  word  is  al 
ways,  forward  !" — The  enemy  did  not  wait  to  encoun 
ter  men  led  by  such  officers,  but  abandoned  the  position 
in  haste,  followed,  at  full  speed,  by  the  light  battery  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan,  who  did  not  cease  playing 
upon  them  until  they  were  out  of  reach. 

The  brave  stand  maintained  by  General  Worth  and 
his  men,  their  daring  and  sustained  efforts,  though  en 
countering  obstacles  which  they  had  never  anticipated, 
decided  the  fate  of  the  day.  The  enemy's  whole  line, 
which  had  been  repeatedly  reinforced  from  the  reserve, 
was  broken  ;  but,  in  a  few  minutes,  they  attempted  to 
rally  on  the  left,  under  the  guns  of  Chapultepec,  to 
recover  possession  of  El  Molino  del  Rey.  The  6th 
and  8th  infantry,  commanded  respectively,  by  Captain 
Hoffman  and  Major  Montgomery,  \vere  ordered,  under 
Major  Bonneville,  to  move  to  that  flank, — the  5th  in 
fantry,  now  commanded  by  Captain  Chapman,  remain 
ing  behind,  to  mourn  the  loss  of  the  best  and  bravest 
of  their  officers  and  men.  Lieutenant  Stone,  of  the 
ordnance,  also  advanced  in  the  same  direction  with 
the  remaining  twenty-four  pounder,  and  placed  his  gun 
in  position  near  the  southern  end  of  the  mill,  where  he 
aided  Captain  Drum,  with  one  of  his  pieces,  in  driving 
back  a  large  force  of  the  enemy  advancing  from  Cha 
pultepec,  and  in  silencing  a  battery  of  one  gun  in  the 
road  leading  to  the  castle,  whose  fire  had  seriously  an 
noyed  the  American  infantry  in  El  Molino.  The  cap 
tured  guns  were  planted  in  the  road  north  of  the  mill, 
and  supported  by  the  4th,  6th,  and  8th  infantry.  A 
brief  engagement  took  place  at  this  point ;  but  tho 
enemy  soon  abandoned  their  attempts  to  regain  the 


DEMOLITION    OF    THE    CAPTURED    WORKS.  393 

ground  which  they  had  lost,  arid  retired  towards  Cha- 
pultepec,  closely  pursued  by  the  Americans  for  several 
hundred  yards. 

In  the  meantime  the  work  of  demolition  had  been 
going  on.  Casa  de  Mata  was  blown  up,  and  the  use 
less  captured  ammunition  was  destroyed.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Hebert  entered  El  Molino  with  a  battalion  of 
the  14th  infantry,  and,  under  his  orders,  four  moulds 
for  casting  cannon,  eight  platforms  for  heavy  guns,  and 
a  number  of  muskets,  were  broken  in  pieces ;  and  the 
combustible  parts  of  the  mill,  and  adjacent  buildings, 
were  set  on  fire.  The  main  action  had  continued  a 
little  over  two  hours,  but  the  enemy  continued  to  keep 
up  a  straggling  fire  while  the  works  were  being  de 
stroyed. 

General  Scott  had  anxiously  watched  the  changing 
scenes  of  the  contest,  though  not  interfering  with  the 
plans  of  General  Worth  ;  but  when  the  enemy  were 
discovered  to  be  repeatedly  reinforcing  their  line,  an 
ticipating  a  general  engagement,  he  had  ordered  up 
General  Pillow,  from  a  distance  of  three  miles,  with 
the  brigade  of  General  Pierce,  and,  shortly  after,  Col 
onel  Riley's  brigade  of  General  Twiggs'  division.  The 
battle  was  won,  however,  just  as  General  Pierce  reached 
the  ground,  and  interposed  his  troops  between  the  di 
vision  of  General  Worth,  and  the  discomfited  enemy. 
Having  removed  their  dead  and  wounded,  the  Amer 
icans  retired  to  their  lines,  leaving  the  walls  of  El  Mo- 
lino  scarred  and  blackened,  and  Casa  de  Mata  in  ruins. 

The  battle  of  El  Molino  del  Rey  was  the  hardest- 
fought,  and  the  bloodiest  engagement  of  the  war.  In 
no  action  was  the  heroic  ardor  of  the  American  sol 
diers  more  conspicuous  ;  in  none  was  their  desperate 
valor  submitted  to  a  severer  ordeal,  or  more  signally 


390  RESULTS    OF    THE    BATTLE. 

triumphant.     The  plain  in  front  of  the  enemy's  po 
sition  was  deluged  with  their  blood,  poured  out  freely 
like  water.     General  Worth  lost  one-fourth  of  his  di 
vision,  and  the  other  corps  sustained  a  severe  loss. 
Less  than  3,500  men,  including  officers,  engaged  be 
tween  twelve  and  fourteen  thousand,  either  in  action, 
or  immediately  in  reserve,  and  accomplished  their  ob 
ject,  with  the  loss,  however,  of  7&4  officers  and  men.* 
It  need  not  be  disguised,  that  the  Americans  were 

O 

deceived  as  to  the  importance  of  the  enemy's  position, 
and  the  foundry  in  El  Molino  ;  and  as  to  the  strength 
of  their  defences  ; — yet,  it  is  not  the  least  that  may  be 
said  in  their  commendation,  that  they  were  able  to  sus 
tain  themselves,  and  finally  to  triumph,  against  such 
odds.  Three  of  the  enemy's  guns  were  captured,  and 
the  fourth  was  spiked.  Large  quantities  of  small-arms 
and  ammunition,  and  grain  and  flour  were  also  taken, 
and  685  prisoners,  including  53  commissioned  officers. 
Over  two  thousand  Mexicans  were  killed  or  wounded, 
and  about  the  same  number  deserted  after  the  rout. 
General  Leon,  and  Colonels  Balderas,  Huerta,  and 
Gelati,  were  among  the  killed.  But,  what  was  more 
important  than  all,  the  infantry  arm  of  the  Mexican 
service,  so  essential  to  the  protection  and  support  of 

*  The  Americans  lost  T25  killed,  649  wounded,  many  of  them  mor 
tally,  and  there  were  10  missing.  Among  the  number  killed  and  wound 
ed  were  58  officers,  17  of  whom  died  on  the  field,  or  shortly  after  the 
battle.  The  officers  who  fell  in  this  engagement  were,  Lieutenants 
Shackelford,  Armstrong,  and  Daniels,  of  the  2nd  artillery ;  Captain 
Ayres,  and  Lieutenant  Farry,  3rd  artillery  ;  Colonel  Mclntosh,  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  Scott,  Captains  Merrill  and  E.  Kirby  Smith,  Assistant 
Surgeon  Roberts,  and  Lieutenants  Durwell  and  Strong,  5th  infantry; 
Lieutenant  Ernst,  Gth  infantry;  Lieutenants  Burbank  and  Morris,  8th 
infantry  ;  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Graham,  and  Lieutenant  Johnson,  of 
the  ]  1th  infantry.  The  total  number  of  officers  present  in  this  action 
Was  196;  consequently  nearly  one-third  were  either  killed  or  wounded. 


MEXICAN  INFANTRY  DISORGANIZED.  397 

their  artillery,  was  nearly  paralyzed  by  the  result  of 
this  action.  The  llth  and  12th  regular  regiments, 
under  General  Perez,  were  almost  annihilated ;  and, 
from  that  time  forward,  as  we  shall  see,  their  infantry 
dared  not  stand  before  the  destructive  fire  of  the 
American  artillery,  or  meet  the  charge  of  the  Amer 
ican  bayonet. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

CAPTURE    OF    MEXICO. 

Preparations  for  a  final  attack  on  the  City  and  its  defences— Heavy  Bat 
teries  planted — The  Cannonade — Storming  of  Chapul tepee — Advance* 
of  General  Quitman  to  the  Garita  de  Belen  and  the  Ciudadela — 
Operations  of  General  Worth  on  the  San  Cosme  Causeway — Flight 
of  Santa  Anna  and  his  Army — Entrance  of  General  Scott  into  the 
Capital — The  Leperos — Quiet  restored  in  the  City — Change  in  the 
Mexican  Administration. 

NIGHT  and  day  the  Mexicans  labored  to  complete  the 
fortifications  of  the  Capital.  The  dull  heavy  sound  of 
the  mattock  and  spade,  employed  in  digging  ditches 
and  throwing  up  breastworks,  was  continually  heard. 
Men,  women,  and  children,  were  constantly  employed 
in  the  construction  of  additional  defences.  Alarm  per 
vaded  every  breast,  and  was  depicted  on  every  coun 
tenance.  Anxious  groups  were  collected  in  the  Plaza, 
and  at  the  corners  of  the  streets — each  man  eager  to 
put  forth  the  same  inquiry,  which  rushed  unbidden  to 
his  lips.  Even  those,  who,  with  folded  arms,  had  hith 
erto  complacently  regarded  the  progress  of  the  war  at 
a  distance, — now  that  the  banners  of  the  beleaguering 
army  could  be  discovered  from  their  balconies  and  house 
tops,  shared  in  the  general  feeling,  that  something  must 
be  done,  and  that  promptly,  to  avert  the  impending 
danger.  Letters  had  been  addressed  by  the  Secretary 
of  State  to  the  Governors  of  the  states  of  Puebla  and 
Mexico,  calling  for  a  levy  en  masse,  to  attack  and  ha 
rass  the  enemy,  by  every  means  which  it  was  practica- 


STATE    OF    AFFAIRS    IN    THE    CITY. 

ble  to  employ,  "'in  the  annihilating  of  an  invading 
army."  Circulars  were  sent  by  General  Herrera,  as 
military  commandant  of  the  city  of  Mexico,  on  the  7th 
of  September,  to  the  clergy,  exhorting  them  to  incite 
the  people  to  resistance ;  Olaguibel,*  the  governor  of 
the  state,  also  appealed  to  his  fellow-citizens,  to  rally 
around  the  standard  of  their  country  in  this  emer 
gency  ;  and  the  alcaldes  and  magistrates  employed  the 
strong  power  of  the  law,  to  reinforce  the  army,  and 
compel  non-combatants  to  work  in  the  trenches.  The 
conviction  and  execution  of  a  number  of  the  deserters 
taken  on  the  20th  of  August,  furnished  a  powerful  ar 
gument  to  excite  that  fiercest  and  most  vindictive  of 
all  passions — religious  prejudice — among  the  populace ; 
who  were  told  that  these  men  had  been  persecuted, 
solely  because  they  were  Roman  Catholics,  like  them 
selves,  f 

*  In  the  National  Intelligencer  of  the  25th  of  October,  1847,  there  is 
a  letter,  dated  on  the  15th  of  the  same  month,  signed  "  T,"  and  extolling, 
in  the  highest  terms,  the  patriotism  of  Olaguibel.  The  position  of  the 
writer — understood  to  be  Mr.  Waddy  Thompson,  formerly  minister  to 
Mexico—  and  his  facilities  for  obtaining  information,  give  great  weight 
to  his  opinions  ;  and,  if  these  encomiums  have  reference  to  the  ardent 
attachment  of  Olaguibel  to  a  republican  form  of  government,  and  his 
opposition  to  centralism,  and  the  monarchical  tendencies  of  the  admin 
istrations  of  Santa  Anna  and  Paredes,  they  are  both  deserved  and  ap 
propriate.  In  time  of  war,  however,  with  a  foreign  enemy,  there  is,  or 
should  be,  a  different  kind  of  patriotism  than  mere  party  devotion  ;  and 
there  is  no  evidence,  that  the  leading  federalists  of  Mexico,  Olaguibel 
not  excepted,  rendered  a  hearty  support  to  Santa  Anna  in  the  prosecu 
tion  of  hostilities,  or  that  they  did  not  rejoice,  when  his  defeat  and  over 
throw  removed  another  opponent  from  the  political  arena.  While  our 
sympathies  as  American  citizens,  must  naturally  go  with  the  Mexican 
federalists,  we  cannot  be  blind  to  the  fact,  that  their  errors  have  aided 
to  produce  that  state  of  turmoil  and  confusion  which  has  so  long  existed 
in  the  country,  and  to  which,  mainly,  her  difficulties  with  foreign  power* 
may  be  attributed. 

f  Twenty-nine  deserters  were  convicted  and  sentenced  to  death,  by  a 


400  RECONNAISSANCES. 

But  there  was  no  heartiness  in  the  ebullitions  of  pa 
triotism  thus  aroused,  and  thus  manifested.  The  feel 
ing  was  short-lived  and  transient.  There  was  a  great 
want  of  discipline  in  the  disorganized  mass,  composing 
the  Mexican  army,  of  which  their  officers  could  not  re 
main  ignorant.  Supplies  were  furnished  slowly,  and 
with  a  sparing  hand.  Santa  Anna  struggled,  in  vain, 
against  his  destiny ;  and  equally  futile  were  the  efforts 
of  his  countrymen,  now  forced  to  experience  the  bitter 
consequences  of  their  party  strifes  and  dissensions,  to 
prevent  the  triumphant  entrance  of  the  American  sol 
diers  into  their  capital. 

The  utmost  activity  prevailed  in  the  camp  of  Gene 
ral  Scott  after  the  battle  of  the  8th  of  September;  and 
the  busy  hum  of  preparation  was  heard  at  every  hour 
of  the  day.  Colonel  Riley  had  been  stationed  at  the 
village,  or  church,  of  Piedad,  nearly  two  miles  south  of 
the  city,  with  his  brigade,  and  on  the  9th  instant,  the 
division  of  General  Pillow  was  also  ordered  thither. 
Covered  by  these  corps,  the  engineer  officers  made  their 
reconnaissances.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  8th.  Captain 
Lee,  and  Lieutenants  Beauregard  and  Tower,  proceeded 
along  the  Piedad  causeway,  to  a  barranca,  or  ravine, 
crossing  that  road,  and  the  Nino  Perdido  and  San  An 
tonio  causeways,  a  little  over  a  mile  from  the  city,  and 

Court-martial  over  which  Colonel  Riley  presided  ;  and  thirty-six  by  a 
court  over  which  Colonel  Garland  presided.  Several  of  the  number 
having  deserted  previous  to  the  existence  of  actual  war,  or  presenting 
circumstances  in  mitigation  of  their  offence,  their  sentences  were  com 
muted  by  General  Scott.  Sixteen  were  hung  at  San  Angel,  on  the  10th 
of  September;  four  at  Mixcoac,  on  the  llth;  and  thirty,  at  the  same 
place,  on  the  13th  instant.  The  execution  at  Mixcoac,  on  the  13th,  took 
place  while  the  Americans  were  storming  the  height  of  Chapultepec ; 
imd  the  deserters  were  required  to  stand  on  the  gallows,  until  the  colon 
which  they  had  abandoned  were  displayed  from  the  castle. 


SKIRMISHING.  401 

discovered  the  enemy  in  force  on  the  two  roads  upon 
their  right.  On  the  9th,  General  Scott,  accompanied 
by  Captain  Lee,  made  an  examination  of  the  enemy's 
defences  at  the  garita  of  San  Antonio,  and,  on  the  fol 
lowing  day,  a  thorough  reconnaissance,  in  that  quarter, 
and  of  the  Paseo  de  las  Vigas,  connected  with  the  San 
Antonio  causeway  by  a  road  practicable  for  artillery, 
was  executed  by  Lieutenants  Beauregard,  Stevens,  and 
Tower.  On  the  morning  of  the  llth,  Captain  Lee  and 
Lieutenant  Tower  made  another,  and  final  examination, 
of  the  works  commanding  the  southern  approaches  to 
the  capital ;  the  result  of  which  was  reported  to  the 
General. in-chief,  at  a  council  of  war,  held  on  the  same 
day,  at  the  church  of  La  Piedad. 

No  serious  collision  took  place  with  the  enemy's 
forces  during  the  execution  of  these  reconnaissances. 
An  occasional  shot  was  thrown  from  the  Mexican  bat 
teries  at  the  garita  of  San  Antonio ;  Lieutenant  Colo 
nel  Duncan  and  Major  Sumner  had  a  slight  skirmish 
with  a  small  body  of  lancers,  near  Morales,  on  the 
morning  of  the  llth,  in  which  two  or  three  of  the  ene 
my  were  killed  ;  and,  in  the  afternoon,  Captain  Magru- 
der  fired  upon  a  party  of  cavalry,  about  500  strong, 
who  were  moving  round  the  American  right,  in  order, 
as  was  supposed,  to  discover  their  position  and  force. 
A  number  of  shot  and  shells  were  thrown  from  his  bat 
tery,  planted  in  the  hermitage  at  the  end  of  the  Nino 
Perdido  causeway,  and  perfectly  screened  by  rows  of 
maguey,  which  caused  the  enemy  to  countermarch  in 
haste,  and  retire  under  cover  of  their  heavy  guns. 

General  Scott  now  resolved  to  put  in  execution  a 
project  which  had  been  some  time  in  contemplation. 
Including  the  works  at  the  eight  garitas,  or  principal 
entrances,  there  were  forty-seven  batteries  around  the 


402  THE    CAUSEWAYS    AROUND    MEXICO. 

city,  prepared  for  177  guns,  and  seventeen  infantry 
breastworks ;  all  of  the  batteries,  however,  could  not 
be  manned  at  the  same  time,  in  consequence  of  the  de 
ficiency  in  artillery.  It  was  impossible  to  gain  an  ad 
mittance  into  the  capital,  with  an  army, except  bypass 
ing  along  the  elevated  causeways, — flanked,  as  has  been 
described,  by  deep  ditches  and  low  marshy  grounds 
— and  through  the  fortified  gates.  South  and  west, 
of  the  city, — the  quarter  to  which  the  operations  of 
General  Scott  were  confined, — there  were  five  cause 
ways.  The  San  Antonio  causeway  led  directly  from 
San  Antonio,  through  Churubusco,  to  the  plaza  mayor. 
About  one  thousand  yards  further  west,  was  the  cause 
way  of  Nino  Perdido,  and  rather  more  than  that  dis 
tance  beyond  it,  was  the  Piedad  causeway,  both  run- 
ing  parallel  to  the  causeway  of  San  Antonio.  The 
Piedad  causeway  intersected  the  Tacubaya,  or  Chapul- 
tepec  causeway  and  aqueduct,  at  the  south-western 
angle  of  the  city  ;  and  the  San  Cosme  causeway  and 
aqueduct,  with  the  aqueduct  and  causeway  leading 
from  the  height  of  Chapultepec,  approached  from  the 
west,  at  right  angles  with  the  southern  causeways, 
and,  at  its  entrance  into  the  capital,  was  nearly  one 
mile  distant  from  the  Chapultepec  causeway.  At  the 
intersection  of  the  Piedad  with  the  Chapultepec  cause 
way,  was  the  garita  of  Belen ;  and  there  was  a  garita 
also,  on  each  of  the  other  causeways  mentioned.  Be 
sides  these  main  causeways,  there  was  a  smaller  one, 
called  the  Paseo  de  las  Vigas,  with  a  garita,  about  eight 
hundred  yards  east  of  the  San  Antonio  causeway. 

The  enemy  anticipated  that  an  attempt  would  be 
made  upon  the  city,  from  the  causeway  of  San  An 
tonio,  and  their  efforts  were  principally  directed  to 
the  strengthening  of  the  fortifications  in  that  quarter, 


FORTIFICATIONS.  403 

although  the  other  approaches  were  not  neglected. 
The  garita  of  San  Antonio  was  about  a  mile  in  ad 
vance  of  that  on  the  causeway  of  Nino  Perdido,  and, 
between  the  two,  there  were  three  batteries,  and  a 
trench  traversing  diagonally  the  grazing  grounds.  On 
the  east,  between  the  garita  of  San  Antonio  and  the 
Paseo  de  las  Vigas,  there  were  two  batteries.  These 
batteries  were  well  supplied  with  heavy  guns,  which, 
being  placed  in  position,  could  not  be  counter-battered 
with  much  hope  of  success,  by  the  lighter  pieces  of  the 
Americans  planted  in  the  open  and  unprotected  ground. 
Near  the  Mexican  lines  there  was  also  not  far  from 
12,000  infantry,  stationed  there  to  support  the  batte 
ries  and  repel  an  assault.  From  three  to  four  hundred 
yards  in  advance  of  the  Belen  gate,  on  the  Piedad 
causeway,  was  a  battery  without  guns,  with  a  breast 
work  for  infantry,  facing  the  west,  intervening  be 
tween  it  and  the  garita.  At  the  gate  there  was  a  bat 
tery  of  three  guns,  with  another  battery  of  four  guns 
eight  hundred  yards  in  its  front,  on  the  Chapultepec 
causeway.  East  and  north  of  the  garita  of  Belen, 
was  the  citadel  with  its  fifteen  guns,  near  the  north 
western  angle  of  which,  on  a  paseo  running  north 
from  the  gate,  was  a  battery  of  two  guns.  At  the 
San  Cosme  gate  there  was  a  battery  mounting  one 
heavy  gun  and  a  howitzer,  and  there  were  several 
other  batteries,  without  guns,  in  advance  of  it,  and  on 
the  branch  causeway  leading  from  the  heights  of  Cha 
pultepec.  Some  six  or  seven  thousand  Mexicans, 
cavalry  and  infantry,  besides  the  permanent  garrison 
of  Chapultepec,  were  posted  in  its  vicinity,  and  on  the 
slopes  south  and  east  of  Morales. 

The  route  by  the  San  Cosme  causeway  was  the 
most  feasible  of  all ;  but,  in  order  to  reach  it,  it  would 


404  PROJECT    OF    GENERAL    SCOTT. 

be  necessary  to  make  a  wide  and  hazardous  circuit, 
unless  the  fortress  on  the  steep  and  rocky  bluff  of 
Chapultepec  should  be  first  carried.  General  Scott, 
however,  decided  to  storm  the  castle,  and  to  approach 
the  city  by  the  Chapultepec  and  San  Cosme  cause 
ways,— designing  to  make  the  main  attack  by  the  lat 
ter  road.  But  to  accomplish  this  without  too  great 
loss,  it  was  requisite  that  the  enemy  should  be  kept  in 
ignorance  of  the  movement  up  to  the  latest  hour,  and 
that,  when  discovered,  they  should  mistake  it  for  a 
feint,  and  be  led  to  suppose  that  the  Americans  in 
tended  to  return  and  assault  the  formidable  batteries 
of  San  Antonio. 

In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  the  details  of  which  were 
settled  at  the  council  held  on  the  llth  instant,  General 
Quitman  was  immediately  ordered  to  join  General 
Pillow,  by  daylight,  before  the  southern  gates,  with  his 
division,  previously  stationed  at  Coyoacan.  After  dark, 
on  the  night  of  the  llth,  both  generals,  with  their  di 
visions,  proceeded  to  Tacubaya,  where  General  Scott 
was  quartered  with  the  division  of  General  Worth. 
General  Twiggs  remained  at  Piedad, — two  miles  east 
of  Tacubaya,  and,  within  a  few  hundred  yards,  as  far 
north  as  the  garita  of  San  Antonio, — with  the  brigade 
of  Colonel  Riley,  and  the  batteries  of  Captains  Taylor 
and  Steptoe,  to  make  false  attacks,  or  threaten  the 
works  on  the  southern  side  of  the  city,  and  thus  de 
ceive  the  enemy.  General  P.  F.  Smith  was  left  at 
San  Angel  with  his  brigade,  but  received  orders  to  join 
General  Quitman  early  in  the  morning  of  the  13th. 
Major  Sumner  was  directed  to  march  to  Tacubaya  at 
daybreak  on  the  12th,  with  six  companies  of  the  2nd 
dragoons,  one  of  the  1st  dragoons,  and  one  company 
of  mounted  rifles.  The  remainder  of  the  cavalry, 


BATTERIES    ESTABLISHED.  405 

with  the  12th  infantry,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bonharn, 
one  company  of  the  3rd  and  one  of  the  7th  infantry, 
the  whole  commanded  by  Colonel  Harney,  were  or 
dered  to  garrison  Mixcoac,  now  the  general  depot  of 
the  army. 

During  the  night  of  the  llth,  and  in  the  morning  of 
the  12th,  four  batteries  were  traced  and  established 
near  the  height  of  Chapultepec,  by  Captains  Huger 
and  Lee,  with  the  assistance  of  other  ordnance  and 
engineer  officers,  and  working  parties  detailed  for  the 
purpose.  Number  1,  mounting  two  sixteen-pounders, 
and  one  8-inch  howitzer,*  was  placed  on  the  Tacubaya 
causeway,  to  fire  on  the  south  side  of  the  castle  ;  num 
ber  2,  mounting  one  twenty-four  pounder,  and  one 
8-inch  howitzer,  on  the  ridge  south  of  El  Molino  del 
Rey,  and  opposite  the  south-west  angle-  of  the  castle  ; 
number  3,  which  received,  in  the  course  of  the  day, 
one  sixteen-pounder  and  one  8-inch  howitzer,  near  the 
mill,  some  three  hundred  yards  to  the  north  and  east 
of  number  2,  having  the  wall  of  the  aqueduct  as  a 
parapet ;  and  number  4,  mounted  with  a  10-inch  mor 
tar,  at  El  Molino,  under  cover  of  the  high  wall  formed 
by  the  aqueduct,  and  opposite  the  west  front  of  the 
castle.  Numbers  1  and  2  were  well  masked  by  bushes, 
and  ready  to  commence  cannonading  the  castle,  at  an 
early  hour  on  the  12th. 

An  unusual  degree  of  alarm  pervaded  the  city  on 
the  afternoon  of  the  llth,  when  General  Quitman  was 
discovered  advancing  along  the  Piedad  causeway  with 
his  division ;  but,  as  no  further  movement  was  per 
ceived,  it  soon  subsided.  All  was  yet  still  on  the  en 
suing  day,  when  the  rising  sun  first  threw  his  golden 

*  These  were  captured  guns ;  and  the  IG-pounders,  being  French 
pieces,  were  equal  to  our  ISs. 


406  OPENING    OF    THE    FIRE. 

beams  over  the  bristling  peaks  of  the  Cordilleras, — 
which  fell  tremblingly  upon  the  lakes  of  the  valley,  and 
the  cool  jets  of  crystal  water  gushing  up  from  the 
fountains  in  the  Alameda,  and  suffused  palace  and  con 
vent — dome,  and  spire,  and  cross, — with  waves  of 
sparkling  sheen.  It  was  the  last  hour  of  quiet  enjoyed 
by  the  residents  of  the  capital,  until  the  American  flag, 
tattered  and  torn  in  many  a  perilous  conflict,  but  float 
ing  proudly  as  ever,  waved  in  triumph  over  the  Palacio 
of  Mexico. 

Having  placed  his  battery  of  twelve-pounders  in  an 
advantageous  position,  near  Piedad,  Captain  Steptoe 
opened  a  brisk  and  intense  fire,  at  daylight  on  the  12th, 
on  the  enemy's  works  at  the  southern  gates,  which  was 
kept  up  steadily  throughout  the  day,  and  silenced  the 
battery  at  the  garita  of  San  Antonio,  whose  guns  were 
driven  within  the  walls  of  the  city.  The  Mexicans 
returned  his  fire,  and  the  alarm-bells  commenced  ring 
ing.  Peal  upon  peal  resounded  through  the  streets, 
rousing  the  inhabitants  from  their  slumbers,  and  calling 
them,  in  crowds,  to  the  azoteas,  or  flat  roofs,  of  their 
dwellings.  Jalousies  were  flung  open  in  haste,  and  the 
flashing  eyes  of  the  Castilian  gazed  anxiously  forth, 
through  the  clouds  of  morning  mist  and  sulphurous 
smoke,  momentarily  lighted  by  the  glare  of  artillery. 
Squadrons  of  lancers  dashed  to  and  fro,  and  the  pa- 
seos  were  soon  thronged  with  groups  of  soldiers  and 
citizens  hurrying  hither  and  thither.  Scarcely  an  hour 
passed,  when  batteries  1  and  2,  opposite  Chapultepec, 
supported  by  the  division  of  General  Quitman — the 
former  served  by  Captain  Drum,  assisted  by  Lieuten  • 
ants  Benjamin  and  Porter,  with  his  company  of  the  4th 
artillery ;  and  the  latter  by  a  detachment  of  ordnance 


POSITION    OF    THE    TROOPS.  407 

men,  under  Lieutenant  Hagner — joined  in   the- fierce 
cannonade. 

The  furious  storm  of  missiles  poured  from  the  Amer 
ican  batteries  upon  the  castle  of  Chapultepec  and  its 
defences,  drove  the  enemy's  light  troops  and  skirmish 
ers  from  the  grove  in  the  surrounding  inclosure,  and 
compelled  most  of  the  supporting  force,  stationed  in 
and  near  the  fortress,  to  retire  out  of  range.  At  the 
same  time  the  fire  of  the  guns  in  the  castle,  which  had 
vigorously  answered  the  attack,  was  sensibly  slack 
ened.  Availing  themselves  of  the  favorable  moment, 
the  American  ordnance  and  engineer  officers  prepared 
batteries  3  and  4  for  action.  Number  3  was  manned 
by  Captain  Brooks,  of  the  2nd  artillery,  with  his  com 
pany,  who  was  relieved,  in  the  evening,  by  another 
company  of  the  same  regiment,  under  Lieutenant  An 
derson,  assisted  by  Lieutenant  Russell,  of  the  4th  in 
fantry  : — during  the  fire,  the  stock  of  the  sixteen  poun 
der  was  broken,  leaving  only  the  8-inch  howitzer  in  the 
battery;  but  the  broken  piece  was  subsequently  re 
placed  by  a  twenty-four  pounder  gun.  Number  4  was 
served  by  a  detachment  of  ordnance  men  under  Lieu 
tenant  Stone. 

Shortly  after  daybreak,  on  the  12th,  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Hebert  had  taken  possession  of  El  Molino  del  Rey, 
under  a  severe  shower  of  shot  and  shell  from  the  Castle 
of  Chapultepec,  with  a  force  organized  for  the  purpose, 
and  General  Cadwalader  afterwards  occupied  it  with 
his  brigade.  General  Pillow  displayed  the  remainder 
of  his  division,  including  Magruder's  battery,  and  ex 
cepting  the  12th  infantry,  which  constituted  part  of  the 
garrison  of  Mixcoac,  on  the  battle-field  of  the  8th  in 
stant,  with  the  cavalry  command  of  Major  Sumner  on 
his  left,  both  to  support  batteries  3  and  4,  and  to  hold  in 


408  THE  ENEMY'S  DEFENCES. 

check  the  Mexican  lancers  and  infantry,  under  Gene 
rals  Alvarez  and  Rangel,  occupying  the  slopes  north 
'  and  west  of  Chapultepec.  Several  feints  were  made 
by  the  enemy,  but  they  did  not  attempt  to  molest  Gen 
eral  Pillow. 

The  permanent  garrison  of  Chapultepec  probably  did 
not  much  exceed  1,000  men,  commanded  by  General 
Bravo  ;*  but  there  was  a  force  at  least  6000  strong  in 
the  adjoining  grounds,  and  within  supporting  distance, 
on  the  outside,  in  rear,  and  towards  the  city.  The 
eleves  of  the  military  school,  under  their  superinten 
dent,  General  Monterde,  also  aided  in  the  defence  of 
the  post.  There  were  ten  pieces  of  artillery  in  the 
castle,  some  of  which  were  of  very  heavy  calibre. 
The  heights  were  dotted  all  over  with  bastions,  par 
apets,  redoubts,  and  batteries.  There  was  a  battery 
of  three  guns  on  the  Tacubaya  road,  at  the  south-east 
angle  of  the  inclosure,  flanked  by  a  one-gun  battery, 
sweeping  the  low  grounds  between  it  and  the  cause 
way,  a  short  distance  to  the  west ;  and  a  few  hundred 
yards  beyond  the  latter,  there  was  another  battery. 
About  four  hundred  yards  east  of  the  mill,  on  the  road 
passing  along  the  north  side  of  Chapultepec,  there  was 

*  General  Bravo,  in  his  official  report  dated  September  14th,  1847, 
states  that  the  garrison  of  Chapultepec  numbered  only  832,  many  of 
whom  deserted  before  the  assault ;  and  that,  although  he  repeatedly  ap 
plied  to  Santa  Anna  and  General  Rangel  for  assistance,  none  was  ren 
dered.  It  is  extremely  difficult,  as  is  the  case  with  most  accounts  of  the 
Mexican  officers,  to  reconcile  this  statement  with  facts  about  which  there 
can  be  no  question.  Nearly  five  hundred  dead  bodies  were  found  after  the 
assault,  in  the  castle  and  outworks  of  Chapultepec  ;  numbers  were  seen 
to  escape  over  the  northern  and  eastern  walls ;  and  there  were  over 
seven  hundred  taken  prisoners,  including,  with  the  commander,  five 
generals,  and  more  than  a  hundred  subordinate  officers.  The  actual 
garrison  may  not  have  exceeded  1,000  men,  but  the  supporting  force  cer 
tainly  could  not  have  remained  inactive. 


EFFECT    OF    THE    CANNONADE.  409 

a  battery  of  two  guns,  and  a  second  one  where  the 
aqueduct  and  causeway  lead  off  to  the  San  Cosine  road. 

The  castle  suffered  terribly  from  the  fire  of  the 
American  batteries  on  the  12th.  The  guns  were 
aimed  with  such  precision  that  the  flag-staff  was  seve 
ral  times  carried  away  ;  the  lofty  dome  surmounting 
the  magnificent  pile  was  shivered;  the  light  woodwork 
of  the  apartments  appropriated  to  the  school  was  torn 
into  splinters;  embrasuies  were  shattered;  thick  stone 
walls  crumbled  away  ;  sjdded  rampe  and  terrace  were 
furrowed  by  the  ploug'iing  shot ;  and  a  wide  breach 
was  effected  in  the  southern  wall  near  El  Molino  del 
Rey.  Howitzer  shells  fell  hissing  and  sputtering  into 
the  pools  of  water  in  the  wet  and  springy  grove  at  the 
western  base  of  Chapultepec,  and  whirling  balls  came 
thundering  and  crashing  down  upon  the  heads  of  the 
men  in  the  breastworks.  Both  the  garrison  and  the 
supporting  force  sustained  a  severe  loss ;  discipline 
scarcely  remained  among  the  terrified  soldiers ;  the 
confidence  based  on  superior  strength,  in  numbers  and 
position,  was  nearly  gone ;  they  were  already  cowed 
and  disheartened ;  and  numbers  deserted  on  the  night 
of  the  12th,  anxious  but  to  escape  the  horrors  of  the 
assault  which  they  anticipated  would  soon  be  made.* 

At  dark,  the  Americans,  who  had  been  comparatively 
unharmed,  suspended  their  fire,  and  General  Pillow 
drew  his  whole  force  down  to  the  mill.  The  enemy's 
works  were  now  well  crippled,  and,  at  another  meeting 
of  his  officers.  General  Scott  made  his  final  arrangements 
for  storming  the  castle  on  the  morning  of  the  13th.  The 
bombardment  was  ordered  to  be  continued  for  two  or 
three  hours  after  sunrise,  and  the  momentary  cessation 
of  the  fire  was  to  be  the  signal  for  the  assault.  General 
*  Official  Report  of  General  Bravo,  September  14th,  18-17. 


410     PREPARATIONS    FOR    STORMING    CHAPULTEPEC. 

Quitman  was  directed  to  make  the  attack  with  his  divis 
ion  on  the  south  and  east,  where  the  hill,  though  steep 
and  rocky,  was  accessible  ;  and  General  Pillow  was  to 
advance,  at  the  same  time,  with  his  column,  from  the 
west.  On  the  north  the  height  was  so  precipitous  that  it 
could  not  be  approached  from  that  quarter.  Storming 
parties,  mostly  volunteers  for  the  attack,  each  contain 
ing  about  250  rank  and  file,  were  selected  from  the  di 
visions  of  Generals  Worth  and  Twiggs,  to  lead  the  as 
saulting  columns.  The  party  furnished  from  Worth's 
division  was  commanded  by  Captain  Mackenzie,  of  the 
2nd  artillery,  who  joined  General  Pillow  ;  and  that  fur 
nished  from  Twiggs'  division,  by  Captain  Casey,  of  the 
2nd  infantry,  who  reported  to  General  Quitman.  A 
second  storming  party  of  120  men,  under  Major 
Twiggs,  of  the  marines,  was  organized  by  General 
Quitman  from  his  division.  Pioneer  parties  were  also 
selected,  to  accompany  the  stormers  with  ladders,  fas 
cines,  picks,  and  crowbars.  General  Worth  was  or 
dered  to  hold  his  division  in  reserve,  near  El  Molino 
del  Rey,  to  support  General  Pillow,  and  General  Smith 
was  directed  to  support  General  Quitman  writh  his 
brigade. 

During  the  night  of  the  12th,  Captain  Paul,  of  the 
7th  infantry,  in  command  of  an  advanced  picket  of 
fifty  men,  established  on  the  road  to  Chapultepec,  had 
a  brisk  skirmish  with  one  of  the  enemy's  outposts,  which 
was  driven  back.  Apprehensive  that  this  demonstra 
tion  was  intended  to  cover  the  passage  of  reinforce 
ments  into  the  castle,  General  Quitman  ordered  Lieu 
tenant  Andrews,  of  the  3rd  artillery,  to  advance  a 
piece  of  artillery,  and  rake  the  road  with  several  dis 
charges  of  canister.  This  being  done,  every  thing  re 
mained  quiet  till  the  early  dawn,  when  General  Twiggs 


CONFIDENCE    AND    COURAGE    MANIFESTED.  411 

was  again  heard  thundering  at  the  southern  gates. 
The  batteries  near  Chapultepec, — Lieutenant  Andrews 
relieving  Captain  Drum,  for  a  short  time,  with  his  com 
pany  of  the  3rd  artillery, — and  the  guns  of  the  fortress, 
were  instantly  at  work.  The  cannonade  soon  swelled 
into  a  continuous  roar,  and  the  solid  earth  shook  with 
the  dreadful  concussion.  The  batteries  were  kept  play 
ing  for  about  two  hours,  in  which  time  one  of  the  six- 
teen-pounders,  in  battery  number  1,  was  disabled; and 
showers  of  grape,  canister,  and  shells,  were  then  thrown 
into  the  groves  and  shrubbery  around  the  castle.  At 
eight  o'clock,  the  order  to  cease  firing  was  given,  and 
the  attacking  columns  moved  forward, — the  guns  once 
more  opening,  immediately  after  the  advance,  and  keep 
ing  up  an  incessant  fire,  over  the  heads  of  the  assailants, 
till  they  were  masked.* 

The  American  troops  had  mostly  slept  on  their  arms. 
Though  somewhat  fatigued,  and  entertaining,  it  may 
be,  considerable  anxiety  as  to  the  result  of  the  approach 
ing  struggle,  a  bright  glow  was  imparted  to  their  cheeks 
by  the  confidence  and  courage  that  continued  to  ani 
mate  them.  There  were  no  laggards, — none  to  falter ; 
and  a  beaming  light  sparkled  in  the  eye  of  him  who 
shook  his  comrade's  hand  at  parting,  and  a  high-souled 
daring  curled  his  lip,  when  he  went  forth  to  battle, 
bearing  with  him  the  premonition  of  an  early  death, 
which,  though  it  saddened  the  heart,  had  no  enervating 
power.  All  felt  the  importance  of  the  movement. 
But  little  over  ten  thousand  in  number,  they  had  pre 
cipitated  themselves  into  a  valley  swarming  with  ene 
mies.  Fighting  their  way  through  rivulets  of  blood, — 
through  the  intrenchments  of  Contreras,  San  Antonio, 

*  Over  500  round  shot,  near  300  shells,  and  50  rounds  of  canister, 
were  thrown  into  the  castle  and  outworks  during  the  bombardment. 


412  THE    VOLTIGEURS. 

and  Churubusco, — victors,  too,  at  Casa  de  Mata  and 
El  Molino, — a  sadly  diminished  band  ofless  than  8,000 
effective  men, — their  communications  with  the  sea- 
coast  obstructed  or  cut  off, — they  now  stood  before  a 
hostile  city,  every  house,  with  its  flat  roofs  and  para 
pets,  and  every  convent,  church,  and  public  edifice  of 
which,  could  be  converted  into  a  fortification,  contain 
ing  200,000  inhabitants,  and  defended  by  a  frowning 
castle,  by  powerful  batteries,  and  an  army  25,000  strong. 
It  was,  indeed,  a  last  stroke, — but  life,  death,  every  thing, 
depended  on  the  issue ! 

General  Pillow  had  placed  one  section  of  Captain 
Magruder's  battery,  inside  the  extensive  range  of  build 
ings  of  which  El  Molino  formed  a  part,  to  clear  a  sand 
bag  breastwork  constructed  by  the  enemy,  outside  the 
southern  wall  of  the  inclosure  around  Chapultepec,  to 
command  the  breach  made  by  the  siege  guns.  The 
mountain  howitzers  of  the  voltigeurs,  under  Lieutenant 
Reno,  were  also  planted  in  battery,  in  rear  of  the  mill, 
to  aid  in  driving  the  Mexican  light  troops  from  the 
grove,  and  from  a  strong  intrenchment  extending  near 
ly  across  its  front.  These  batteries  were  admirably 
served,  and  effected  good  execution.  When  the  order 
was  given  to  advance,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Johnstone 
rushed  forward,  with  one  battalion  of  voltigeurs,  on  the 
south  side  of  the  main  wall,  under  a  brisk  fire  from  the 
lunette,  and  sprang  through  the  breach.  Deploying  at 
a  run,  they  drove  the  enemy  from  the  parapet  before 
the  rear  companies  were  in  line.  Meanwhile  Colonel 
Andrews  and  Major  Caldwell  had  passed  through  a 
narrow  gateway,  opening  from  the  rear  of  the  mill,  with 
the  remaining  battalion  of  the  voltigeurs,  and  advanced 
on  the  left  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Johnstone's  command. 
Darting  from  tree  to  tree,  covered  by  the  bolls  of  the 


ADVANCE    OF    GENERAL    PILLOW.  413 

huge  cypresses,  the  regiment  made  the  wood  ring  with 
the  sharp  crack  of  their  riiles,  and  the  howitzer  shell? 
of  Lieutenant  Reno  filled  the  air  with  falling  leaves  and 
branches,  as  they  scattered  the  enemy's  skirmishers  in 
confusion. 

A  loud  cheer  from  the  voltigeurs  soon  announced 
that  they  had  cleared  the  grove  of  the  Mexican  sharp 
shooters.  The  stormers,  under  Captain  Mackenzie, 
with  percussion  caps  removed,  and  depending  on  the 
bayonet  alone,  were  now  ordered  forward.  The  9th 
and  15th  infantry,  under  Colonel  Ransom  and  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Howard. — Colonel  Morgan  being  stiil  dis 
abled  from  his  wounds, — followed  rapidly,  accompanied 
by  General  Pillow.  On  emerging  into  the  open  space, 
from  twenty  to  thirty  yards  broad,  at  the  foot  of  the 
acclivity,  the  troops  became  exposed  to  a  terrible  fire 
of  shot,  shell,  and  musketry,  from  the  batteries  and 
breastworks  of  the  castle.  General  Pillow  fell  severely 
wounded,  though  afterwards  borne  along  in  the  arms 
of  his  men,  as  they  pressed  onward  to  secure  the  vic 
tory.  Colonel  Ransom  was  shot  dead  at  the  head  of 
his  regiment,  and  Major  Seymour  assumed  the  com 
mand. 

General  Cadwalader,  in  the  absence  of  General 
Pierce,  who  was  yet  an  invalid,  promptly  led  on  the 
column.  The  battalion  of  voltigeurs  under  Colonel 
Andrews,  and  the  9th  and  15th  infantry,  pushed  up  the 
height,  shouting  and  cheering  as  they  forced  the  enemy 
from  shelter  to  shelter.  Balls  and  shells  fell  upon  them 
like  rain.  "  There  was  death  below,  as  well  as  above 
ground."*  The  hill-side  was  mined  ; — but,  fortunately, 
it  was  discovered  in  time.  The  men  appointed  to  fire 
the  mines  fell  before  the  unerring  aim  of  the  voltigeurs, 
*  Official  Report  of  General  Scott,  September  ISth,  1847. 


414  A    LODGEMENT    EFFECTED. 

watering  with  their  blood  the  trains  which  they  had 
vainly  endeavored  to  ignite.  In  their  haste,  the  attack 
ing  parties  outstripped  the  stormers,  who  had  moved  on 
more  slowly  until  the  ground  should  be  relinquished  by 
their  comrades  ;  and  when  they  gained  the  crest  of  the 
counterscarp,  they  were  obliged  to  wait  for  the  ladders, 
without  which  the  works  could  not  be  carried.  They 
then  partially  sheltered  themselves  in  the  crevices  of 
the  rocky  acclivity,  and  poured  an  incessant  fire  upon 
the  enemy  behind  their  breastworks  and  parapets. 

At  the  request  of  General  Pillow,  General  Worth  had 
detached  Colonel  Clarke  with  his  brigade,  consisting  of 
the  5th,  6th,  and  8th  infantry,  under  Captain  Chapman, 
and  Majors  Bonneville  and  Montgomery,  to  support 
the  attack.  Portions  of  these  regiments  joined  the  as 
saulting  column,  as  Captain  Mackenzie  came  up  with 
his  command.  The  delay  was  of  brief  duration.  The 
ditch  was  crossed,  and  the  ladders  planted.  Hand-gre 
nades  and  musket-balls  were  poured  upon  the  assailants, 
and  the  first  who  mounted  the  ladders  fell  to  the  earth, 
either  killed  or  severely  wounded ;  others  took  their 
places,  and  gained  the  parapet.  The  color-bearer  of 
the  voltigeurs  being  shot  down,  Captain  Barnard 
snatched  the  flag,  scaled  the  wall  with  it  unfurled,  and 
planted  it  in  advance  of  any  other  color.  One  of  the 
salients  of  the  outer  work  was  in  their  possession,  and 
the  columns  moved  forward  upon  the  castle. 

In  the  meantime,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Johnstone, 
with  his  battalion,  accompanied  by  Lieutenant  Reno 
with  two  of  the  howitzers,  had  passed  round  to  the 
right,  up  the  paved  road  leading  in  a  triangular  form  to 
the  main  gate  on  the  south  side  of  the  castle.  Here 
he  encountered  a  warm  fire  from  the  parapet  of  the  east 
terrace,  and  the  battery  at  its  base.  Lieutenant  Reno 


415 

brought  his  guns  into  action,  and  served  them  effic 
iently,  until,  being  wounded  at  the  gateway,  he  resigned 
his  charge  to  Lieutenant  Beauregard,  of  the  engineers. 
A  vigorous  attack  was  at  once  made  by  the  command, 
when  the  works  were  reduced. 

The  column  under  General  Quitman,  guided  by 
Lieutenant  Tower,  had  advanced  to  the  assault,  along 
the  Tacubaya  road,  with  equal  promptitude  and  en 
thusiasm.  General  Smith  moved  in  reserve  with  his 
brigade,  prolonging  his  right  beyond  that  flank  of  the 
assaulting  column,  to- protect  it  from  skirmishers,  and 
from  the  enemy's  forces  lining  the  causeway  leading 
from  Chapultepec  to  the  city.  Lieutenant  Hunt,  who 
had  reported  to  General  Quitman,  with  a  howitzer 
and  six-pounder  gun  belonging  to  Duncan's  battery, 
followed  the  main  column,  and  having  gained  a  po 
sition  in  the  road,  within  easy  range  of  the  castle, 
opened  his  fire,  throwing  shell  and  shrapnel  shot  that 
exploded  directly  over  the  parapets  on  the  lower  part 
of  the  hill,  from  which  the  enemy's  fire  seemed  hottest, 
and  elevating  his  pieces  as  the  troops  advanced.  The 
storming  parties  under  Major  Twiggs  and  Captain 
Casey,  supported  by  the  battalion  of  marines,  under 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Watson,  dashed  forward,  with 
hearty  cheers,  upon  the  battery  at  the  south-east  an 
gle  of  the  height.  Major  Twiggs  receiving  a  mortal 
wound,  Captain  Miller,  of  the  2nd  Pennsylvania,  took 
command  of  his  party  ;  and  Captain  Casey  being  also 
disabled,  Captain  Paul,  of  the  7th  infantry,  assumed 
his  place.  The  contest  at  the  battery  was  hand-to- 
hand,  and  for  a  short  time  was  stoutly  maintained. 
Parties  of  the  rifle  regiment  joined  the  stormers,  and 
entered  the  works  with  them.  Being  unable  to  with- 


416  THE    VOLUNTEERS. 

stand  the  impetuous  onset  of  their  antagonists,  the  en 
emy  abandoned  their  guns,  and  retired  in  haste. 

The  remaining  regiments  of  General  Quitrnan's  di 
vision, — the  New  York  and  South  Carolina  volunteers, 
under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Baxter  and  Major  Gladden, 
and  the  2nd  Pennsylvania,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Geary,  Colonel  Roberts  being  confined  to  a  sick  bed, — 
led  by  General  Shields,  who  had  solicited  the  com 
mand  of  the  storming  parties,  but  had  been  refused  on 
account  of  his  rank,  after  proceeding  about  half  a  mile 
along  the  causeway,  turned  to  the  left,  and  making 
their  way  through  fields  intersected  by  deep  ditches, 
filled  with  water,  under  a  severe  fire  of  grape  and 
musketry,  approached  the  southern  wall  of  Chapultepec. 
The  Palmettos  broke  through  it,  and  charged  up  the 
height,  without  firing  a  gun.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bax 
ter  being  mortally  wounded,  Major  Burnham  placed 
himself  at  the  head  of  the  New  Yorkers,  and  entered 
the  inclosure,  in  company  with  the  2nd  Pennsylvania, 
through  an  abandoned  battery,  to  the  left.  Lieutenant 
Reid,  with  his  company  of  the  New  York  regiment, 
and  a  company  of  marines,  moving  still  further  to  the 
left,  passed  through  the  breach  made  by  the  heavy 
guns,  and  was  soon  among  the  foremost  of  the  parties 
who  had  assaulted  the  work  from  the  west.  A  portion 
of  the  storming  party  from  General  Twiggs'  division, 
under  Lieutenant  Gantt,  of  the  7th  infantry,  also  as 
cended  the  hill. 

A  simultaneous  rush  was  now  made  upon  the  east, 
south,  and  west  of  the  castle.  Scaling-ladders  were 
applied  on  all  sides.  Major  Seymour,  of  the  9th  infan 
try,  reached  the  flag-staff,  and  hauled  down  the  Mex 
ican  standard, — and  the  national  color  of  the  New 
York  regiment,  the  first  on  the  fortress,  was  displayed. 


CAPTURE  OF  THE  CASTLE  417 

by  Lieutenant  Reid, — while  the  battle  was  raging  at 
their  feet.  For  a  few  moments  the  conflict  was  ter 
rible.  General  Bravo  and  his  soldiers  made  a  sturdy 
defence.  The  eleves  of  the  military  school  fought 
bravely  and  gallantly.  Swords  clashed  ;  bayonets 
were  crossed  ;  and  rifles  clubbed.  The  cruelty  of  the 
enemy  at  Casa  de  Mata  was  not  forgotten  ;  and  the 
ramparts  and  batteries  were  covered  with  those  who 
had  fallen,  some  maimed  and  disabled,  but  many  cold 
and  stiflf  as  the  rocks  and  stones  that  formed  their  rest 
ing  place.  Carried  away  with  indignation,  for  a  mo 
ment  the  American  soldiers  seemed  inclined  to  make 
no  prisoners  ;  but  the  earnest  remonstrances  of  their 
officers,  checked  the  exhibition  of  a  feeling,  which, 
though  not  unprovoked,  would  have  sullied  the  flag 
under  which  they  fought.  Resistance,  however,  was 
in  vain  ;  the  work  was  carried  ; — and  General  Bravo 
surrendered  himself  and  men  prisoners  of  war.* 

While  the  assaulting  parties  were  engaged  in  storm 
ing  the  height  of  Chapultepec,  Colonel  Trousdale  had 
moved  along  the  road  at  the  northern  base  of  the 
height,  with  the  14th  infantry,  and  a  section  of  Ma- 
gruder's  battery,  under  Lieutenant  Jackson, — Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Hebert  remaining  at  the  mill,  tempora 
rily  in  charge  of  the  llth  infantry.  A  destructive  fire 
was  opened  upon  the  command  from  the  two-gun 
battery,  which  was  actively  returned  by  Lieutenant 
Jackson.  The  section  was  dreadfully  cut  up,  and  al 
most  disabled  ;  the  infantry  support  lost  several  men  ; 

*  General  Bravo,  and  General  Rincon — the  latter  taken  prisoner  on. 
the  20th  of  August — were  exchanged  for  Captains  Heady  and  Clay, 
and  other  officers  and  men  captured  the  previous  winter  from  the  column 
under  General  Taylor.  Majors  Gaines  and  Borland  made  their  escape 
soon  after  the  Americans  entered  the  Valley,  and  served  as  volunteer 
aids,  respectively,  to  Generals  Scott  and  Worth. 


418  PURSUIT    OF    THE    ENEMY. 

and  Colonel  Trousdale  and  some  of  his  officers  were 
badly  wounded.  Leaving  Major  Hunter  with  the  llth 
infantry,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hebert  hastened  forward 
to  take  command  of  his  regiment.  A  demonstration 
made  by  a  body  of  the  enemy  on  this  flank,  was  checked 
by  Major  Hunter  ;  but  their  forces,  in  large  numbers, 
were  discovered  rallying  upon  the  branch  causeway 
and  aqueduct  leading  to  the  San  Cosme  road,  and 
threatening  the  section  of  the  battery  commanded  by 
Lieutenant  Jackson.  Captain  Magruder  pushed  on  to 
his  assistance  with  the  other  section  ;  and,  at  the  same 
time,  General  Worth  turned  the  mill  and  advanced 
upon  the  road,  with  Colonel  Garland's  brigade, — con 
sisting  of  the  2nd  and  3rd  artillery,  under  Captain 
Brooks  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Belton,  and  the  4th 
infantry,  Major  Lee, — the  light  battalion  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  C.  F.  Smith,  Duncan's  battery,  and  three 
squadrons  of  dragoons,  under  Major  Sumner. 

A  flank  movement  of  a  portion  of  Colonel  Garland's 
brigade  completed  the  capture  of  the  breastwork,  un 
der  the  fire  of  Lieutenant  Jackson's  guns,  and  General 
Worth  continued  his  advance,  attacking  the  right  of  the 
enemy's  line  resting  on  the  branch  causeway,  and  driv 
ing  them  before  him,  at  the  moment  of  the  general  re 
treat  consequent  upon  the  capture  of  the  castle.  He 
then  rapidly  pursued  the  routed  enemy,  in  the  direction 
of  the  San  Cosme  road. 

As  soon  as  his  command  could  be  formed  and  sup 
plied  with  ammunition,  General  Quitman  also  advanced 
on  the  Chapultepec  causeway,  the  more  direct  route  to 
the  city.  Meanwhile  Captain  Drum  had  brought  up  a 
four-pounder  captured  gun,  and  was  moving  along  the 
causeway,  pouring  a  constant  fire  upon  the  flying  Mex 
icans.  The  rifle  regiment  commanded  by  Major  Lor- 


BATTERY    ON    THE    CHAPULTEPEC    CAUSEWAY.      41il 

ing,  formed  under  the  arches  of  the  aqueduct,  and 
the  remainder  of  General  Smith's  brigade — the  1st  ar 
tillery  and  3rd  infantry,  under  Major  Dimmick  and 
Captain  Alexander — levelled  the  parapets  and  filled  up 
the  ditches  in  the  road,  so  as  to  permit  the  passage  of 
heavy  artillery.  This  being  done,  the  whole  column 
was  put  in  motion. 

General  Scott  arrived  at  the  castle  shortly  after  its 
reduction,  and  immediately  ordered  Colonel  Clarke,  with 
his  brigade,  to  join  his  division,  and  also  dispatched  the 
brigade  of  General  Cadwalader  to  the  support  of  Gen 
eral  Worth.  The  9th  infantry  was  ordered  to  follow 
the  movement  of  General  Quitman,  and  the  15th  was 
designated  as  the  garrison  of  Chapultepec.  Siege 
pieces  were  likewise  directed  to  be  sent  forward  to  both 
columns.  Having  issued  these  orders,  General  Scott 
proceeded  along  the  road  taken  by  General  Worth. 
Two  heavy  pieces,  under  Lieutenant  Hagner,  escorted 
by  a  command  of  New  York  volunteers  arid  marines, 
under  Captain  Gallagher,  and  two  pieces  and  a  10-inch 
mortar  escorted  by  the  14th  infantry,  followed,  as  soon 
as  they  could  be  got  in  readiness.  Captain  Huger  also 
sent  heavy  guns  to  General  Quitman,  and  then  joined 
the  column  of  General  Worth. 

The  first  obstacle  encountered  by  General  Quitman 
was  the  battery  between  the  castle  of  Chapultepec  and 
the  garita  of  Belen.  A  short,  but  effective  fire,  from 
an  8-inch  howitzer  brought  up  by  Lieutenant  Porter, 
directed  by  Captain  Drum ;  aided  by  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Duncan's  battery, — which  had  been  advanced,  by 
direction  of  General  Worth,  from  the  causeway  along 
which  his  column  was  moving,  supported  by  the  light 
battalion,  over  a  cross  route,  to  within  four  hundred 
yards  of  the  work, — together  with  the  daring  and 


420  GARITA  OF  BEL£N. 

bi  avery  of  the  rifle  regiment,  soon  cleared  the  battery. 
The  column  was  forthwith  reorganized  for  an  attack 
upon  the  work  at  the  garita.  The  rifles,  intermingled 
with  the  South  Carolina  volunteers,  led  the  advance, 
supported  by  the  remainder  of  General  Quitman's  di 
vision  and  the  brigade  of  General  Smith,  and  a  part  of 
the  6th  infantry,  under  Major  Bonne ville,  who  had 
fallen  into  this  road. 

Springing  boldly  from  arch  to  arch  of  the  aqueduct, 
the  advance  moved  upon  the  garita,  under  a  tremen 
dous  fire  of  grape,  canister,  and  round  shot,  from  the 
battery,  and  of  small-arms  from  the  paseo  on  their  left, 
and  the  Piedad  causeway  on  their  right.  The  enemy 
had  been  completely  deceived  by  the  movements  of 
General  Scott,  and  did  not  recover  from  their  delusion 
until  the  American  troops  were  seen  streaming  along 
the  San  Cosme  and  Chapul tepee  causeways.  It  was 
then  too  late  to  plant  new  batteries,  or  shift  their  guns. 
Still  a  brave  defence  was  made  at  the  Belen  garita,  by 
General  Terres,  who  commanded  the  forces  at  this 
point,  supported  by  a  strong  reserve  under  General 
Garey.  Santa  Anna  also  hastened  thither  ;  and  for  a 
few  moments  the  conflict  was  warm  and  animated. 

Several  rounds  of  canister,  thrown  from  a  sixteen 
pounder  gun,  pushed  forward  to  the  head  of  the  Amer 
ican  column  by  Lieutenant  Benjamin,  checked  the  an 
noying  fire  of  the  Mexican  infantry  on  the  Piedad 
causeway,  who  were  soon  after  driven  back  by  the  4th 
artillery,  under  Major  Gardner,  advancing  for  the  pur 
pose  from  their  position  near  the  church  of  La  Pie- 
dad.  Both  gun  and  howitzer  were  then  opened  on  the 
garita.  Tho  rifles,  now  under  Captain  Simonson,  Ma 
jor  Loring  having  been  severely  wounded,  from  their 
partial  cover  beneath  the  arches  of  the  aqueduct,  picked 


THE    AMERICANS    IN    THE    CITY.  421 

off  the  artillerists,  one  by  one  ;  the  enemy's  infantry 
refused  to  be  led  forward  ;  and  the  removal  of  their 
guns  was  commenced.  Discovering  this,  General  Quit- 
man  ordered  a  charge.  The  Americans  sprang  for 
ward  with  eager  impetuosity,  entered  the  work  at  a  few 
minutes  past  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  captured 
two  of  its  guns.  General  Quitman  was  among  the  first 
at  the  garita,  and  none  of  the  colors  having  yet  come 
up,  attached  a  silk  handkerchief  to  a  rifle,  and  waved 
it  over  the  battery,  amid  the  joyous  shouts  of  his  brave 
soldiers. 

The  garita  being  taken,  the  riflemen  and  South  Ca 
rolina  volunteers  rushed  on,  and  occupied  the  arches 
of  the  aqueduct,  within  one  hundred  yards  of  the  citadel. 
The  ammunition  of  the  heavy  guns  having  been  expend 
ed,  Captain  Drum  turned  a  captured  nine-pounder  upon 
the  enemy,  and  served  it  with  good  effect,  until  the  am 
munition  taken  with  it  was  also  expended.  Daring  as 
was  the  advance  of  the  American  column,  they  had 
proceeded  too  far  without  the  necessary  siege  guns  and 
ammunition.  Yet  they  held  their  ground  firmly  under 
a  most  appalling  fire.  Captain  Drum,  Lieutenant  Ben 
jamin,  and  a  number  of  their  men,  were  killed  at  the 
gun  which  had  been  run  forward  in  front  of  the  garita, 
waging  an  unequal  contest  with  the  heavy  artillery  in 
the  citadel.  When  the  enemy  perceived  that  the 
Americans  had  expended  their  ammunition,  they  ral 
lied  to  drive  them  back  from  the  lodgement  which  had 
been  effected.  Repeated,  though  ineffectual  sallies, 
were  made,  and  both  sides  of  the  aqueduct  were  swept 
by  the  iron  shower  poured  from  the  citadel,  the  batte 
ries  on  the  paseo,  and  the  buildings  on  the  right  of  the 
garita.  An  attempt  to  enfilade  the  left  flank  of  the 
column  being  apprehended,  Captain  Naylor  took  pos- 


422  OPERATIONS    OF    GENERAL    WORTH. 

session  of  a  low  sand-bag  defence,  about  one  hundred 
yards  to  the  left  of  the  causeway,  with  two  companies 
of  the  2nd  Pennsylvania  ;  and  held  it,  under  a  severe 
fire,  till  nightfall,  when  the  Mexican  batteries  ceased 
firing. 

Sweeping  the  enemy  with  the  utmost  ease,  from  the 
two  batteries  enfilading  the  route,  at  which  they  vainly 
endeavored  to  make  a  successful  stand,  General  Worth 
arrived  at  the  intersection  of  the  branch  causeway  with 
the  San  Cosme  road,  about  two  miles  distant  from 
Chapul tepee.  Here,  on  his  left,  was  a  formidable  work 
at  the  Campo  Santo,  or  English  burying-ground,  but 
entirely  destitute  of  guns.  Leaving  the  brigade  of 
General  Cadwalader  at  this  point  to  protect  his  rear, 
General  Worth  turned  to  the  right,  and  moved  cau 
tiously  along  the  road  towards  the  garita  of  San  Cosme, 
where  General  Rangel  was  in  command.  Several 
hundred  yards  further  on,  the  column  came  upon  a 
strong  adobe  breastwork,  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards 
in  front  of  the  garita.  The  approach  to  the  two  de 
fences  was  in  a  right  line,  and  the  whole  space  was 
raked  by  grape,  canister,  and  shells,  from  the  heavy 
nun  and  howitzer  in  the  battery  at  the  gate  ;  in  addi 
tion  to  which,  an  incessant  fire  of  musketry  was  poured 
from  the  tops  of  the  houses  and  churches,  flanking  the 
road.  Lieutenant  Hagner  was  ordered  forward  with 
his  pieces ;  but,  it  being  found  impossible  to  bring  them 
into  action,  on  account  of  the  nature  of  the  ground, 
they  were  withdrawn. 

General  Worth  then  decided  to  vary  his  mode  of 
operations.  Lieutenant  Johnson,  with  a  portion  of  the 
6th  infantry,  moved  to  the  right,  in  rear  of  several 
small  buildings,  until  he  reached  a  large  dwelling  front 
ing  the  street.  Having  broken  into  the  house,  his  men 


BURROWING  THROUGH  THE  HOUSES.        423 

tore  open  the  windows,  and  commenced  firing  upon 
the  Mexicans  behind  the  breastwork.  A  similar  move 
ment  to  the  left  was  made  by  Captain  Brooks,  of  the 
2nd  artillery,  and  Lieutenant  Grant  of  the  4th  infantry, 
with  small  parties.  Other  troops  passing  still  further 
up,  gained  a  cross  street,  and  came  down  on  the  en 
emy's  rear,  when  the  latter  fell  back  to  the  garita.  An 
attempt  to  regain  the  work  was  prevented  by  the  fire 
of  a  section  of  Magruder's  battery,  under  Lieutenant 
Jackson.  The  brigade  of  Colonel  Garland  was  now 
thrown  to  the  right,  and  that  of  Colonel  Clarke  to  the 
left,  with  orders  to  burrow  their  way,  from  house  to 
house,  with  picks  and  bars.  A  mountain  howitzer  was 
also  placed  on  the  top  of  a  commanding  building  on  the 
left,  and  another  on  the  church  of  San  Cosme  on  the 
right,  under  Lieutenant  Hagner,  of  the  ordnance,  and 
Captain  Edwards  of  the  voltigeurs,  which  soon  occa 
sioned  considerable  commotion  among  the  enemy. 

The  contest  for  the  possession  of  the  garita — to 
which  Santa  Anna  had  retired,  after  his  unsuccessful 
attempt  to  prevent  the  advance  of  General  Quitman, 
equally  deluded,  however,  if  he  hoped  to  achieve  a  tri 
umph  over  the  caution,  bravery,  and  skill  of  General 
Worth — was  spirited,  but  somewhat  desultory;  de 
tached  parties  of  the  different  commands,  crossing  and 
recrossing  the  street,  as  opportunity  served,  to  enter 
some  narrow  lane,  or  spring  through  some  open  gate 
way.  At  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  both  columns 
had  reached  their  positions,  and  it  then  became  neces 
sary,  at  all  hazards,  to  advance  a  piece  of  artillery  to 
the  captured  breastwork.  This  was  gallantly  done  by 
Lieutenant  Hunt,  of  Duncan's  light  battery,  who  lost 
five,  out  of  nine  men,  in  moving  at  full  speed  over  a 
distance  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  yards.  Reaching  tho 


424  THE    GARITA    OF    SAN    COSM^    TAKEN. 

breastwork,  and  pointing  his  gun  through  one  of  the 
embrasures,  he  came  muzzle  to  muzzle  with  the  enemy. 
At  the  same  moment,  the  troops  who  had  burrowed 
through  the  houses,  sprang  to  the  roofs,  doors,  and  win 
dows.  Lieutenant  Johnson,  with  a  number  of  good 
marksmen  from  the  6th  and  8th  infantry,  had  entered 
a  small  adobe  shed  facing  the  road  ;  and  Major  Bu 
chanan  had  ascended  to  the  top  of  a  house  overlooking 
the  garita,  with  a  part  of  the  4th  infantry. 

For  an  instant  the  street  was  one  blaze  of  fire.  But  a 
single  withering  volley  was  sufficient, — and  a  loud  pro 
longed  shout  was  raised  by  the  victors,  as  the  Mexicans 
fled  from  the  garita.  Captain  Mackenzie,  with  the  rem 
nant  of  his  storming  party,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Belton,  with  the  2nd  and  3rd  artillery,  and  4th  infantry, 
rushed  up  the  road,  and  the  other  troops  also  darted  for 
ward.  The  heavy  gun  in  the  work,  a  sixteen-pounder, 
was  captured,  and  turned  upon  the  enemy,  by  Captain 
Bomford  and  Lieutenant  Merchant,  of  the  8th  infantry, 
"  to  expedite  their  departure."  Lieutenants  Sydney 
Smith  and  Judah,  of  the  4th  infantry,  with  Lieutenant 
G.  W.  Smith,  of  the  engineers,  and  a  small  party  of  sap 
pers  and  miners,  pursued  them  nearly  half  a  mile  into 
the  city,  and  captured  a  gun,  and  a  number  of  pris 
oners,  among  whom  was  an  aid  of  Santa  Anna  ;  and 
one  of  them  had  the  gratification  of  eating  a  supper 
prepared  for  his  Excellency. 

During  the  operations  of  General  Worth  in  front, 
an  effort  was  made  to  annoy  his  left  flank  by  a  body 
of  the  enemy,  cavalry  and  infantry,  who  were  driven 
off  by  Captain  Biddle,  with  his  company  of  voltigeurs, 
>nd  a  mountain  howitzer.  After  the  capture  of  the 
garita,  General  Worth  placed  his  division  in  secure 
positions  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  road,  and  estab- 


FLIGHT    OF    THE    MEXICAN    ARMT.  425 

lished  picket  guards.  Captain  Huger  then  advanced 
two  siege  pieces,  and  a  10-inch  mortar,  to  the  garita, 
and  fired  a  few  24-pound  shot  ?  and,  between  nine  and 
ten  o'clock  in  the  evening,  he  threw  several  shells  from 
the  mortar  in  the  direction  of  the  National  Palace, 
ibout  sixteen  hundred  yards  distant. 

Early  in  the  afternoon,  General  Scott  had  returned 
to  Chapultepec.  The  remaining  brigade  of  General 
Twiggs,  (Colonel  Riley's),  was  ordered  from  Piedad, 
lo  support  General  Worth  ;  and  Captain  Steptoe  was 
directed  to  rejoin  General  Quitman's  division  with  his 
battery.  Intrenching  tools  and  ammunition  were  also 
sent  to  General  Quitman,  whose  men  were  busily  em 
ployed,  throughout  the  night,  in  constructing  two  sand 
bag  breastworks  and  parapets,  at  the  garita  of  Belen, 
upon  which  two  heavy  guns  and  an  8-inch  howitzer 
were  placed  in  battery  by  Captain  Steptoe.  Late  in 
the  evening  General  Shields  was  forced  to  retire,  in 
consequence  of  a  severe  wound  received  at  the  storm 
ing  of  the  castle,  but  his  place  was  filled  by  General 
Pierce,  who  reported  for  duty  to  General  Quitman. 

But  all  these  preparations  for  the  reduction  of  the 
capital  proved  to  be  unnecessary.  When  the  blazing 
shells  thrown  by  Captain  Huger  were  seen  falling  into 
the  Plaza,  Santa  Anna,  and  his  officers  and  advisers, 
were  convinced  that  it  was  useless  to  struggle  longer. 
They  were  besought,  on  every  hand,  to  prevent  a  bom 
bardment  ;  the  inhabitants  were  fleeing  in  alarm  ;  and 
insubordination  began  to  make  its  appearance  in  the 
army.  A  hurried  consultation  was  held,  at  which  it 
was  decided  to  evacuate  the  city.  Before  midnight 
the  causeways  unoccupied  by  the  American  troops, 
were  thronged  with  fugitives ;  with  wagons,  tumbrils, 
gun-carriages  and  caissons;  with  ambulances  and  splen- 


426       ADVANCE    OF    THE    AMERICANS    INTO    THE    CITY. 

did  coaches  ;  horse  and  foot,  officers  and  soldiers,  camp 
followers  and  citizens — a  motley  mass — mingled  to 
gether  in  confusion. 

At  one  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  14th,  a  deputa 
tion  from  the  ayuntamiento,  or  city  council,  came  to  the 
advanced  post  of  General  Worth,  announcing  that  the 
officers  of  the  national  government  and  the  army  had 
commenced  retiring  from  the  city,  and  that  they  were 
authorized  to  confer  with  the  General-in-chief  of  the 
American  forces.  On  their  arrival  at  the  head-quar 
ters  of  General  Scott,  they  informed  him  of  the  evacua 
tion,  and  demanded  terms  of  capitulation  in  favor  of 
the  church,  the  citizens,  and  the  municipal  authorities. 
They  were  promptly  informed  by  General  Scott  that 
he  would  sign  no  capitulation  ;  that  the  city  had  been 
virtually  in  his  possession,  from  the  time  when  a  lodge 
ment  had  been  made  on  the  previous  day  ;  that  he  re 
gretted  the  escape  of  the  Mexican  troops;  that  he 
should  levy  a  moderate  contribution  for  special  purpo 
ses  ;  and  that  "  the  American  army  should  come  under 
no  terms  not  self-imposed — such  only  as  its  own  honor, 
the  dignity  of  the  United  States,  and  the  spirit  of  the 
age,"  demanded  and  required.* 

Upon  the  termination  of  the  interview  with  the  city 
deputation,  General  Scott  dispatched  orders  to  Generals 
Worth  and  Quitman,  to  advance  slowly  and  cautiously 
towards  the  heart  of  the  city.  At  six  o'clock,  the  head 
of  General  Worth's  division  had  reached  the  street 
leading  direct  from  the  Alameda  to  the  plaza  mayor, 
on  which  the  National  Palace,  containing  the  halls  of 
Congress  and  the  executive  offices  of  the  national  gov 
ernment,  is  situated  ;  and  it  would  have  been  the  firs 
to  arrive  at  "  that  goal  of  general  ambition,"f  had  it 
*  Official  Report  of  General  Scott,  September  18th,  1847. 


ENTRY    OF    GENERAL    SCOTT  427 

not  been  halted  by  direction  of  General  Scott.  At 
dawn  of  day,  General  Quitman  had  taken  possession  of 
the  citadel,  upon  the  invitation  of  the  civil  authorities 
which  was  temporarily  garrisoned  by  the  South  Caro 
lina  volunteers;  and  he  soon  after  moved  the  remainder 
of  his  column,  the  rifle  regiment  leading  the  way,  in  the 
direction  of  the  National  Palace.  Arriving  at  the 
great  square,  he  formed  his  men  in  front  of  the  Palacio, 
and  at  seven  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  14th  of  Sep 
tember,  1847,  the  American  flag, — "  the  first  strange 
banner, which  had  ever  waved  over  that  palace  since 
the  conquest  of  Cortes,"* — was  planted  by  Captain  Rob 
erts,  of  the  rifles,  and  saluted  by  the  whole  command, 
with  every  demonstration  of  applause  and  satisfaction. 
General  Scott  and  his  staff,  in  full  uniform,  entered 
the  capital  at  eight  o'clock,  escorted  by  Major  Sumner 
with  his  battalion  of  cavalry.  General  Quitman  was 
immediately  appointed  civil  and  military  governor  of 
the  city,  and  General  Scott  issued  an  order,  cautioning 
his  soldiers  to  be  upon  their  guard,  to  commit  no  dis 
orders,  and  to  avoid  straggling  from  the  head-quarters 
of  their  respective  corps. f  Shortly  after  the  troops 

*  Official  Report  of  General  Quitman,  September  29th,  1847. 

t  )  "  Head  Quarters  of  the  Army, 

"GENERAL  ORDERS,  ;  (         Mexico,  Sept.  14,  1847. 

No.  284.  $ 

"  1.  Under  the  favor  of  God,  the  valor  of  this  army,  after  many  glo 
rious  victories,  has  hoisted  the  colors  of  our  country  in  the  Capital  of 
Mexico,  and  on  the  palace  of  its  government. 

"  2.  But  the  war  is  not  ended.  The  Mexican  army  and  government 
have  fled,  only  to  watch  an  opportunity  to  return  upon  us  in  vengeance. 
We  must  then  be  on  our  guard. 

"  3.  Companies  and  regiments  will  be  kept  together,  and  all  stand  on 
the  alert.  Our  safety  is  in  military  discipline. 

"4.  Let  there  be  no  drunkenness,  no  disorders,  and  no  straggling. 
Stragglers  will  be  in  great  danger  of  assassination,  and  marauders  shall 
be  punished  by  courts  martial. 

"  5.  All  the  rules  so  honorably  observed  by  this  glorious  army,  if 


428  ATTACK    OF    THE    LEPERO3 

entered  the  city,  and  while  they  were  alout  occupying 
the  most  important  points,  they  were  attacked  by 
crowds  of  leperos,*  and  convicts  liberated  by  the  author 
ities  of  the  state  and  nation  prior  to  the  evacuation  of 
the  capital,  together  with  soldiers  in  disguise,  who  had 
not  accompanied  the  army,  or  had  returned  after  the 
flight. 

Escopetas  were  fired  from  half-opened  doors  and 
windows,  and  from  the  corners  of  the  streets  and  al 
leys ;  and  missiles  of  every  description  were  thrown 
from  the  flat  roofs  of  the  houses.  The  Americans  suf 
fered  considerably  at  first,  from  this  irregular  and  an 
noying  fire  ;  Colonel  Garland  was  badly  wounded ; 
Lieutenant  Sydney  Smith  and  several  men  were  killed ; 
and  a  number  of  other  officers  and  men  received  severe 

Puebla,  must  be  observed  here.  The  honor  of  the  array,  and  the  honor 
of  our  country,  call  for  the  best  behavior  on  the  part  of  all.  The  valiant 
must,  to  win  the  approbation  of  God  and  their  country,  be  sober,  or 
derly,  and  merciful.  His  noble  brethren  in  arms  will  not  be  deaf  tothia 
hasty  appeal  from  their  commander  and  friend. 

"  6.  Major  General  Quitman  is  appointed  civil  and  military  governor 
of  Mexico. 

"  By  command  of  Major  General  Scott. 

"H.  L.  SCOTT, 
"  Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General." 

*  The  lepcros  of  Mexico  correspond,  very  nearly,  to  the  lazaroni  of 
Italian  towns  and  cities.  The  number  in  the  city  of  Mexico,  in  1823, 

estimated,  in  Ward's  Mexico,  at  '20,000.  The  object  of  these  ma 
rauders  appeared  to  be  to  plunder  the  wealthy  citizens,  as  much  as  to 
harass  the  American  troops.  During  the  disturbance,  a  party  of  Mex 
ican  lancers  penetrated  a  short  distance  into  the  city  from  the  north,  but 
were  driven  back.  They  were  probably  sent  by  Santa  Anna,  to  learn 
whether  any  thing  could  be  gained  by  a  return  with  his  forces.  A  prin 
cipal  reason  for  his  liberating  the  convicts  may  have  been,  the  hope  that 
the  Americans  would  be  thrown  into  such  confusion,  that  he  would  be 
able  to  drive  them  from  the  city.  If  he  entertained  such  an  expectation, 
he  was  very  much  deceived  in  regard  to  the  materials  of  which  the 
American  army  was  composed. 


ORDER    RESTORED.  429 

wounds.  The  most  prompt  measures  were  taken  to 
put  an  end  to  these  dastardly  outrages.  Lieutenant 
Hagner  fired  upon  the  houses,  occupied  by  the  enemy, 
with  an  8-inch  howitzer.  The  sappers  and  miners,  un 
der  Lieutenants  G.  W.  Smith  and  McLellan,  forced  their 
way  in  with  crowbars  and  axes,  and  cut  down  every 
occupant,  found  with  arms,  or  weapons,  in  his  hands. 
Good  service  was  also  rendered  in  clearing  the  streets, 
and  restoring  order,  by  a  detachment  of  cavalry  under 
Major  Sumner;  by  the  2nd  and  7th  infantry,  under 
Captain  Morris  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Plympton  ;  a 
battalion  of  the  4th  infantry,  under  Major  Buchanan  ; 
and  part  of  the  rifle  regiment,  under  Captain  Roberts. 

This  street-contest  continued  for  more  than  twenty- 
four  hours  ;  but  the  city  became  tolerably  quiet  on  the 
16th  ;  and  on  the  18th,  the  four  divisions  of  the  army 
were  posted  at  or  near  the  four  principal  gates,  viz  : 
San  Lazaro,  San  Antonio,  San  Cosme,  and  Peravillo, 
or  Guadalupe  ; — and  the  cavalry  brigade,  under  Colonel 
Harney,  was  ordered  to  occupy  the  cavalry  barracks 
near  the  National  Palace. 

Thus  terminated,  in  the  capture  of  the  Mexican  cap 
ital,  a  campaign  unsurpassed,  for  the  brilliancy  of  its 
victories,  and  the  magnitude  of  its  results,  in  the  world's 
history.  About  1,000  of  the  enemy  were  supposed  to 
have  been  killed  at  the  storming  of  Chapultepec,  and 
the  subsequent  operations  in  and  near  the  city  ;  over 
1.500  were  wounded  ;  and  there  were  823  taken  pris 
oners.*  A  number  of  colors  and  standards  were  cap 
tured  by  the  Americans,  together  with  small-arms  and 
ammunition,  in  sufficient  quantities  to  supply  an  army 

*  Among  the  prisoners  were  Generals  Bravo,  Monterde,  Noriega, 
Dosamantz  and  Saldana.  General  Perez  was  killed  at  the  storming  of 
Chapultepec. 


430  VIGILANCE    OF    GENERAL    SCOTT. 

during  a  campaign,  and  nearly  100  pieces  of  artillery 
The  American  loss  was  130  killed,  704  wounded,  and 
29  missing.* 

All  was  not  yet  entirely  tranquil  in  the  city.  Sleep 
less  and  untiring  vigilance  was  necessary  on  the  part 
of  General  Scott  and  his  officers,  and  they  did  not  fail 
in  the  performance  of  their  duty.  Stragglers  were 
frequently  found  assassinated,  and  dark  and  terrible 
threats  were  uttered.  The  clergy  refused  to  open  their 
churches  for  public  worship,  with  a  view  of  preventing 
the  restoration  of  good  order  ;  but  when  they  were 
told  by  the  American  commander,  that  his  protection 
should  be  withdrawn  from  them,  and  the  valuable  pro 
perty  committed  to  their  care,  unless  they  continued 
to  discharge  their  functions,  as  formerly,  they  were 
quite  willing  to  resume  them.  As  a  consideration  for 
the  protection  afforded  by  his  army  to  the  property  of 
the  church  and  the  citizens,  General  Scott  levied  a 
contribution  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  dollars 
upon  the  capital,  which  was  paid  in  four  equal  weekly 
instalments.!  Martial  Is\v  was  also  proclaimed  in  and 
about  all  towns  and  posts  occupied  by  the  American 

*  The  Americans  lost  thirteen  officers,  either  killed  or  mortally 
wounded,  in  the  operations  of  the  13th  and  14th  of  September,  viz.: — 
Captain  Drum  and  Lie-utenant  Benjamin,  of  the  4th  artillery  ;  Lieutenant 
Sydney  Smith  and  Rodgers,  4th  infantry;  Lieutenant  J.  P.  Smith,  5th 
infantry;  Lieutenant  Gantt,  7th  infantry;  Colonel  Ransom,  9th  in 
fantry;  Major  Twiggs,  marine  corps  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Baxter,  and 
Captains  Van  O'Linda  and  Pearson,  New  York  volunteers  ;  and  Lieu 
tenants  Cantey  and  Morange,  of  the  South  Carolina  Regiment. 

•f  Twenty  thousand  dollars  of  this  sum  was  appropriated  to  the  pur 
chase  of  extra  comforts  for  the  wounded  and  sick  of  the  American  sol 
diers  in  hospital,  and  ninety  thousand  dollars  to  the  purchase  of  blankets 
and  shoes  for  gratuitous  distribution  among  the  rank  and  file  of  the 
army ;  and  the  remaining  forty  thousand  dollars  was  reserved  for  other 
necessary  military  purposes. — General  Orders,  Number  287. 


RENUNCIATION  OF  SANTA  ANNA.         431 

army.  The  collection  of  duties  at  the  gates  was  or 
dered  to  be  continued ; — the  proceeds  of  which  were 
applied,  as  far  as  necessary,  to  the  payment  of  the  city 
expenses,  and  the  remainder  as  was  directed  by  the 
General-in-chief.  Not  long  after  the  occupation  of  the 
capital,  an  extensive  conspiracy  to  surprise  the  Amer 
icans  and  murder  the  officers  and  men,  fomented  by  a 
number  of  priests  and  disguised  Mexican  officers  and 
soldiers,  was  frustrated.  Timely  precautions  were 
adopted  ;  and  all  Mexican  officers  in  the  city,  who  had 
not  given  their  paroles,  were  required  to  report  to 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Hitchcock,  Acting  Inspector  Gen 
eral. 

The  Mexican  army  enrolled  for  the  defence  of  their 
capital,  was  almost  disorganized.  Divided  into  small 
commands,  the  largest  of  which,  numbering  about 
4,000  men,  proceeded  to  Queretaro,  under  General 
Herrera,  it  was  soon  scattered  through  the  country, 
under  various  leaders,  uncertain  what  to  do,  pursuing 
no  definite  plan  or  object,  and  for  the  most  part,  care 
less  and  indifferent  as  to  the  further  prosecution  of  the 
war.  On  the  7th  of  September,  Santa  Anna  had  issued 
a  decree,  ordering  that  Pena  y  Pena,  President  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  Justice,  and  Generals  Herrera  and 
Bravo,  should  assume  his  duties  as  Provisional  President, 
in  case  he  should  fall,  or  be  taken  prisoner.  After  the 
capture  of  General  Bravo,  and  the  evacuation  of  the 
city,  he  issued  a  second  decree,  at  Guadalupe  Hidalgo, 
on  the  16th  of  September,  renouncing  the  presidency, 
and  designating  Senor  Alcorta  in  the  place  of  General 
Bravo  ;  the  substance  of  which  decree  was  commu 
nicated  to  the  Governors,  and  Commandants-general, 
of  the  different  states,  by  Senores  Pacheco  and  Alcorta, 
Ministers  of  Internal  and  Foreign  Relations,  and  of 


432          ASSEMBLING    OF    THE    NATIONAL    CONGRESS. 

War.  Accompanied  by  about  2,500  cavalry,  Santa 
Anna  then  proceeded  to  Puebla,  to  harass  the  com 
munications  of  General  Scott,  and  to  do  every  thing, 
in  his  power,  essential  to  "  the  defence  of  the  independ 
ence  of  his  country."* 

Under  the  provisions  of  the  Mexican  Constitution, 
the  office  of  Provisional  President  devolved  on  Pena  y 
Pena,  by  virtue  of  his  position  as  the  presiding  officer 
of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  he  immediately  entered  on 
the  discharge  of  his  duties ;  refusing,  however,  to  rec 
ognize  the  persons  associated  with  him  in  the  decrees 
of  Santa  Anna.  This  was  most  probably  done  with 
their  consent,  as  they  made  no  attempt  to  assert  their 
claims,  if  any  they  may  have  had.  The  acting  Pro 
visional  President,  and  most  of  the  leading  men  of 
Mexico  and  the  adjoining  states,  repaired  to  Queretaro, 
where  the  National  Congress  was  ordered  to  assemble, 
early  in  October,  to  take  into  consideration  the  de 
plorable  state  of  the  country.  Several  of  the  members 
passed  through  the  city  of  Mexico,  under  a  safe  con 
duct  from  General  Scott. 

+  Official  Circular  of  Pacheco,  dated  at  Toluca,  September  18th,  1847. 
Santa  Anna  afterwards  insisted  that  his  renunciation  of  the  chief  ma 
gistracy  was  only  of  temporary  duration,  and  that  he  had  a  right  to  re 
sume  the  functions  of  the  office  at  pleasure.— See  his  Address  to  the 
Mexican  people,  issued  at  Tehuacan,  October  22nd,  1847. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

THE    ARMY    UNDER    TAYLOR. 

The  American  forces  on  the  line  of  the  S  ?rra  Madre,  and  in  the  Va.- 
ley  of  the  Rio  Giande — Correspondence  between  General  Taylor 
and  General  Mora  y  Villaniil — The  Texan  Hangers — Expedition  to 
Huejutla — Part  of  General  Taylor's  forces  &  Jered  to  Vera  Cruz — 
Position  of  the  Troops — The  command  transfer-*: J  to  General  Wool. 

THE  severe  defeat  experienced  by  the  Mexicans,  at 
Buena  Vista,  threw  them  far  back  into  tne  interior  ; 
and  no  further  attempt  was  made  seriously  to  molest 
the  American  forces  on  the  line  of  the  Sierra  Madre, 
and  in  the  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande.  Reposing  quietly 
and  contentedly  on  the  laurels  he  had  won, — his  name 
potential  as  that  of  the  Black  Douglass  in  overawing 
the  enemy, — General  Taylor  remained  in  his  camp 
near  Monterey,  not  seeking  an  opportunity  to  achieve 
new  victories,  but  prepared,  at  all  times,  to  maintain 
and  enforce  the  authority  of  his  government  over  the 
territory  occupied  by  the  troops  under  his  command. 
Generals  Urrea  and  Canales  hovered  in  the  vicinity 
with  their  bands  of  rancheros,  but  they  were  careful 
not  to  approach  within  reach  of  an  arm,  which,  as  they 
well  knew,  was  not  more  prompt,  than  it  was  powerful, 
to  strike. 

In  accordance  with  the  directions  of  General  Taylor, 
most  of  the  ranches  between  Mier  and  Monterey,  which 
had  been  the  harboring-places  of  the  marauding  bands 
who  had  obstructed  his  line  of  communications,  were  laid 


434          CORRESPONDENCE    WITH    GENERAL    VILLAMIL. 

waste.  This  harsh,  but  necessary  measure,  in  connec 
tion  with  his  order  requiring  an  indemnity  for  property 
destroyed,  secured  his  trains,  in  a  great  degree,  from 
attack ;  although  occasional  efforts  were  made,  by 
small  parties  of  the  enemy,  to  capture  some  of  the 
wagons,  where  a  train  was  large,  or  feebly  guarded. 
The  principal  object  of  the  banditti  appeared  to  be,  to 
seize  the  merchants'  goods  going  up  under  the  protec 
tion  of  the  army  escorts,  and  General  Taylor  felt  com 
pelled,  for  the  safety  of  his  own  supplies,  to  prohibit 
their  accompanying  the  trains.  Fewer  inducements, 
therefore,  were  h  d  out  to  the  guerilleros  ;  and  conse 
quently  there  \ere  fewer  attacks,  and  fewer  losses 
sustained. 

After  the  return  of  Santa  Anna  to  the  city  of  Mex 
ico,  General  Mora  y  Villamil  held  the  command,  for  a 
short  time,  at  San  Luis  Potosi  ;  and  when  the  requi 
sition  for  an  indemnification  was  issued,  he  addressed 
a  communication  to  General  Taylor,  desiring  to  know, 
whether  his  wishes  and  instructions  were,  "  to  prose 
cute  the  war  in  conformity  to  the  laws  of  nations,  and 
as  war  [was]  conducted  by  civilized  countries,  or  as 
barbarous  tribes  [carried]  it  on  among  themselves?'* 
Besides  referring  to  the  requisition,  he  also  alluded  to 
several  acts  of  violence  committed  by  some  of  the  Texan 
rangers,  a  new  regiment  of  which,  under  Colonel  Hays, 
had  recently  been  enrolled  ;  and  threatened  to  retaliate, 
in  case  satisfaction  was  not  rendered  for  the  grievances 
specified.  General  Taylor  replied  on  the  19th  of  May, 
1847,  refusing,  peremptorily,  to  give  a  categorical  an 
swer  to  the  inquiry,  upon  the  ground  that  it  was  a 
deliberate  insult  to  himself  and  his  government,  yet, 
neverthe'^ss,  assuring  the  Mexican  general,  that  every 
possible  effort  had  been  made  to  discover  the 


THE    TEXAN    RANGERS.  435 

trators  of  the  acts  complained  of,  in  order  to  bring 
them  to  trial  and  punishment,  but  without  success.  In 
regard  to  the  threat  of  retaliation,  he  treated  it,  as  it 
deserved,  and  stated  that  he  was  ready  for  any  course 
of  policy  which  the  Mexican  authorities  decided  to 
adopt.* 

During  the  ensuing  summer,  General  Taylor  found 
himself  unable  to  control  the  lawlessness  of  the  ran 
gers  ;  and  so  many  unprovoked  outrages  were  com 
mitted,  the  authors  of  which  could  very  rarely  be  ascer 
tained,  that,  as  an  act  of  justice  to  himself  and  to  his 
country,  he  ordered  a  number  of  the  more  turbulent 
and  refractory  among  them  to  be  summarily  dismissed 
from  the  service,  regarding  them  as  being  wholly  un 
worthy  to  belong  to  the  American  army.f  Collisions, 
growing  out  of  these  outrages,  frequently  took  place  ; 
but  the  departments  of  Tamaulipas  and  New  Leon, 
with  this  exception,  were  generally  quiet.  The  active 
operations  of  the  war  were  carried  on  upon  a  different 

*  "  It  is  with  pain  that  I  find  myself  under  the  necessity  of  addressing 
you  in  a  manner  to  which  I  am  little  accustomed ;  but  I  have  been 
provoked  to  do  so  by  the  object  and  the  manner  of  your  communica 
tion,  which  is  objectionable,  in  my  estimation,  as  well  in  its  insinua 
tions  as  in  its  tone.  With  respect  to  the  implied  threat  of  retaliation,  I 
be<r  you  to  understand  that  I  hold  it  at  its  true  worth,  and  that  I  am  at 
all  times  prepared  to  act  accordingly,  whatever  may  be  the  policy  or 
mode  of  carrying  on  the  war,  which  the  Mexican  government,  or  its 
generals,  may  think  it  proper  t<j  adopt." — Extract  from  the  letter  of 
General  Taylor. 

•f  Assassinations  and  outrages,  of  the  most  barbarous  and  revolting 
Character, thai  could  not  have  been  provoked  by  the  bad  conduct  of  the 
rangers,  were  committed  by  the  regular  and  irregular  Mexican  troops. 
The  cruelties  practised  by  the  Mexicans  during  the  revolution  in  Texas, 
and  the  war  with  the  United  States,  no  doubt  instigated  the  volunteers 
to  some  extent;  but,  however  justly  the  former  may  have  been  pun 
ished,  the  cruelty  of  the  rangers  was  none  the  less  deserving  of  cen- 


21 


436  EXPEDITION    TO    HUEJUTLA. 

theatre,  and  General  Taylor  remained  strictly  on  the 
defensive.* 

Early  in  July..  Colonel  Gates,  of  the  3rd  artillery,  the 
commanding  officer  at  Tarnpico,  received  information 
that  a  number  of  American  prisoners,  entitled  to  lib 
eration,  were  at  or  near  Huejutla,  over  one  hundred 
miles  in  the  interior  of  Tamaulipas,  where  General 
Garey  had  established  his  head-quarters,  with  a  force 
from  twelve  to  fifteen  hundred  strong.  Being  anxious 
to  liberate  them  as  soon  as  possible,  Colonel  Gates  or 
dered  Colonel  De  Russey,  of  the  Louisiana  volunteers, 

*  In  his  letter  to  General  Gaines,  before  alluded  to,  dated  November 
8th,  1816,  General  Taylor  avowed  himself  in  favor  of  withdrawing  the 
American  troops  to  a  defensive  line,  extending  from  some  point  on  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico  to  the  Pacific,  and  at  the  same  time  enforcing  a  rigid 
blockade  of  the  Mexican  ports,  as  the  surest  mode  of  conquering  a 
peace.  The  same  idea  was  advocated  by  Mr.  Calhoun,  of  South  Car 
olina,  in  the  Senate  of  the  United  States,  during  the  session  of  1847-48; 
propositions  for  a  large  increase  of  the  army  being  then  before  Congress. 
The  Hon.  Joel  R.  Poinsett,  formerly  Minister  to  Mexico,  and  Secretary 
of  War,  also  approved  of  that  policy,  in  a  letter  addressed  to  Mr.  Butler, 
a  senator  in  Congress  from  South  Carolina,  dated  on  the  12th  of  De 
cember,  1847,  and  published  in  the  National  Intelligencer  on  the  22nd 
of  January  following.  Mr.  Poinsett  instances,  in  support  of  his  argu 
ment,  the  failure  of  the  Russian  government  permanently  to  enforce  her 
authority  over  the  Caucasians.  But  the  two  cases  are  hardly  analogous. 
The  Caucasians  are  wild,  fierce,  and  intractable,  while  the  Mexicans 
are  indolent,  cowardly,  and  treacherous, — tyrannical  as  masters,  but 
slavish  as  subjects ;  the  former  have  few  or  no  towns,  and  when  driven 
from  them,  they  regarded  the  deprivation  as  of  little  consequence,  while 
the  latter  looked  upon  their  capital,  and  their  principal  cities,  as  their 
main  dependence  and  reliance  ;  and,  more  than  all,  Russia  desired  to 
make  a  permanent  conquest,  which,  of  itself,  was  well  calculated  to 
arouse  an  untiring  and  undying  spirit  of  hostility. 

Had  Mexico  been  inhabited  by  any  other  race,  except  a  people  de 
scended  from  a  Spanish  stock,  perhaps  the  defensive  policy  would  have 
been  the  most  desirable.  Such  a  policy,  however,  would  have  been  of 
little  or  no  avail  against  the  Mexican  guerilleros.  It  was  the  9ffensive 
measures  adopted  by  the  American  commanders,  and  those  alone,  which 


MARCH    OF    THE    COMMAND.  437 

to  proceed  to  Huejutla,  accompanied  by  an  escort  of 
126  men,  in  order  to  communicate  with  General  Garey, 
and  effect  the  restoration  of  the  prisoners. 

Colonel  De  Russey  left  Tampico  on  the  8th  of  July 
with  his  command,  consisting  of  one  company  of  the 
3rd  artillery,  Captain  Wyse,  with  a  field-piece  ;  a  com 
pany  of  dragoons,  under  Captain  Boyd  and  Lieutenant 
Taneyhill ;  a  detachment  of  Louisiana  volunteers,  un 
der  Captains  Mace  and  Seguine  ;  and  a  small  party  of 
Tampico  rangers,  a  volunteer  company  organized  by 
Colonel  Gates  for  the  defence  of  the  post.  Passing  up 
the  river  Panuco,  in  steamers,  about  sixty  miles,  and 
then  marching  by  land  through  Asulwama,  the  alcalde 
of  which  was  made  acquainted  with  the  friendly  pur 
pose  of  the  expedition,  and  cheerfully  furnished  the 
command  with  supplies,  Colonel  De  Russey  arrived  at 
Tantayuka,  twenty-five  miles  from  Huejutla,  on  the 
llth  instant.  The  alcalde  of  this  town  was  also  in 
formed  of  the  object  of  his  mission  ;  and  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  12th  he  continued  his  march.  So  far  he  had 
been  unable  to  find  a  military  officer  who  might  ac 
company  him  to  the  head-quarters  of  General  Garey 
and,  although  he  anticipated  that  preparations  for  de- 

they  feared  and  dreaded.  In  a  speech  delivered  in  the  Senate,  on  the 
4th  of  January,  1848,  Mr.  Calhoun  made  use  of  the  following  bold  and 
striking  figure  : — "  Mexico  is  to  us  as  a  dead  body,  and  this  ia  the  only 
way  [the  defensive  policy]  that  we  can  cut  the  cord  which  binds  us  to 
the  corpse."  Had  the  distinguished  senator  but  enlarged  a  little  upon 
his  idea,  and  inquired  how  Mexico  became  reduced  to  that  situation, 
would  he  not  have  refuted  his  own  argument  ?  She  was,  indeed,  pros 
trate  and  lifeless, — but  why  ]  Because  she  was  in  the  grasp  of  a  giant ! 
—The  defensive  policy  would  have  released  her  from  that  grasp,  and  re 
stored  her  towns  and  cities,  her  base  of  supplies,  and  all  her  most  val 
uable  internal  resources,— thus  inviting  a  bloody  and  vindictive  warfare, 
to  continue  as  long  as  a  single  man  could  be  found  to  echo  "  the  wild 
guerilla's  curse"  unong  the  gorges  of  th«  Sierra  Madre. 


438  AFFAIR    AT    THE    CALABOSO    RIVER. 

fence  would  be  made,  he  intended  to  rely  on  the  white 
flag  when  the  enemy  should  be  discovered,  in  order  to 
prevent  a  conflict,  at  least  until  the  pacific  nature  of 
his  visit  should  be  made  known. 

About  eight  miles  from  Tantayuka,  a  Mexican  In 
dian  was  met,  who  informed  Colonel  De  Russey  that 
General  Garey,  with  a  large  force,  had  laid  an  ambus 
cade  for  him,  at  the  Calaboso  river,  one  mile  in  his 
front.  Captain  Boyd  was  then  in  advance  with  his 
company,  and  before  orders  could  be  sent  to  him  to 
fall  back  to  the  main  body,  a  rapid  discharge  of  fire 
arms  was  heard.  Colonel  De  Russey  hurried  forward 
with  the  remainder  of  his  detachment,  and  encountered 
the  dragoons  in  retreat,  having  already  lost  Captain 
Boyd  and  six  of  their  comrades.  On  approaching  the 
river,  it  was  found  that  the  enemy,  who  had  displayed 
considerable  sagacity  in  their  choice  of  position,  had 
cleared  the  ground  from  bushes,  for  the  space  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  yards  on  either  side  of  the  road, 
leaving, -beyond  the  now  open  ground,  a  dense  hedge 
of  chaparral,  in  rear  of  which  a  fence  had  been  con 
structed  as  an  obstacle  to  the  movements  of  cavalry. 
The  main  body  of  General  Garey 's  force  were  upon 
the  opposite  bank  of  the  stream,  also  protected  in  theii 
front  by  thick  chaparral. 

A  charge  was  instantly  made  on  either  flank  by 
Captains  Mace  and  Seguine,  with  their  men,  and  the 
enemy  retired  hastily  across  the  river.  Captain  Wyse 
at  once  opened  his  fire  upon  the  main  body  on  the  op 
posite  bank,  which  was  kept  up  for  nearly  an  hour, 
when  the  enemy  manifested  a  disposition  to  abandon 
their  ground,  and  their  fire  altogether  ceased.  It  was 
now  ascertained  that  all  the  cartridges  but  three  had 
been  exhausted,  and  great  numbers  of  the  enemy  from 


A    RETREAT    ORDERED.  439 

the  towns  through  which  the  Americans  had  passed, 
were  discovered  on  the  flanks  and  in  the  rear,  who 
had  succeeded  in  capturing  about  ninety  mules,  laden 
with  the  provisions,  the  money,  and  clothing  of  the  de 
tachment  It  was  also  known  that  the  road  to  Hue- 
'utla  lay  through  a  gorge  flanked  by  steep  acclivities, 
and  that  the  prisoners  had  been  removed.  In  this 
position  of  affairs,  Colonel  De  Russey  determined  to 
retrace  his  steps  with  his  small  command. 

After  the  retrograde  movement  commenced,  the 
Mexicans  began  to  harass  the  American  rear,  but  they 
were  always  repulsed,  with  great  loss,  by  Captain 
Mace,  who  poured  upon  them  his  volleys  of  musketry 
with  good  effect.  On  ascending  a  hill  about  one  mile 
from  Tantayuka,  a  desperate  rush  was  made  by  the 
enemy,  and  the  rear-guard  was  driven  in.  Captain 
Wyse  promptly  unlimbered  his  gun,  and  dispersed  the 
Mexicans  with  two  discharges  of  canister.  In  this 
manner  the  detachment  returned  to  Tantayuka,  keep 
ing  up  a  continued  fight  throughout  the  whole  distance 
of  nine  miles.  When  they  reached  the  town,  the  en 
emy  appeared  in  their  front  to  oppose  them.  The 
field-piece  was  again  discharged,  and  again  scattered 
the  enemy  in  confusion. 

Colonel  De  Russey  now  posted  his  men  on  a  mound 
overlooking  the  town ;  powder  and  ball  were  procured 
at  the  stores  ;  and  a  number  of  cartridges  were  pre 
pared,  by  using  champagne  bottles,  as  a  substitute  for 
tin  cylinders,  which  were  half  filled  with  balls,  and 
the  remaining  space  packed  with  earth.  Musket  car 
tridges  for  the  infantry  were  also  manufactured,  and 
every  preparation  was  made  to  defend  the  position. 
At  nine  o'clock- on  the  night  of  the  12th,  a  message 
was  received  from  General  Garey  demanding  the  im- 


440  RETURN    TO    TAMPICO. 

mediate  surrender  of  the  force.  Colonel  De  Russey 
replied  that  this  was  impossible,  and  then  informed  the 
bearer  of  the  message  of  the  object  of  his  visit.  The 
latter  stated,  in  answer,  that  there  had  been  some  mis 
understanding  in  regard  to  the  matter,  and  arranged 
an  interview  between  General  Garey  and  Colonel  De 
Russey,  to  take  place  in  a  few  hours.  The  Mexican 
officers  failed  to  keep  the  appointment,  and  suspecting 
treachery,  Colonel  De  Russey  ordered  his  men  under 
arms,  and  at  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  13th 
continued  his  retreat  towards  Tampico,  protected  by 
the  darkness.  Shortly  after  daylight  the  enemy  again 
appeared  upon  the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  detachment. 
Whenever  they  attempted  to  make  a  close  attack  they 
were  driven  off  by  the  fire  of  the  field-piece  or  mus 
kets,  though  the  pursuit  was  continued  for  more  than 
fifty  miles  beyond  Tantayuka.  The  detachment  suc 
ceeded,  however,  in  reaching  Tampico,  having  lost,  in 
the  affair  at  the  Calaboso  river,  and  the  subsequent  re 
treat,  fifteen  killed  and  mortally  wounded,  ten  wounded, 
and  three  missing.*  The  enemy  lost  nearly  two  hun 
dred  in  killed  and  wrounded. 

During  the  absence  of  Colonel  De  Russey,  Colonel 
Gates  was  informed  of  his  critical  situation,  and  it  was 
also  rumored  that  an  attack  upon  Tampico  was  con 
templated ;  whereupon,  he  immediately  dispatched  a 
messenger  to  Colonel  Wilson,  at  Vera  Cruz,  with  a 
request  that  he  might  be  reinforced.  There  being  no 
disposable  troops  belonging  to  the  army,  at  that  post, 
Commodore  Perry  sent  a  small  party  of  marines  to 

*  Among  the  killed,  or  mortally  wounded,  were  Captain  Boyd  and 
Lieutenant  TaneyhUl.  Having  no  surgeon  or  means  of  transportation, 
Colonel  De  Russey  was  compelled  to  leave  Lieutenant  Taneyhill  and 
two  privates,  all  mortally  wounded,  at  the  house  of  the  alcalde  in  Tan 
tayuka,  where  every  attention  was  paid  to  their  wanta. 


THE    ENEMY    INTIMIDATED.  441 

Tampico.  In  the  meantime  Colonel  Gates  had  ordered 
a  reinforcement  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  to  move 
up  the  Panuco  to  the  support  of  Colonel  De  Russey, 
who  did  not  effect  a  junction  with  the  latter  until  after 
the  enemy  had  ceased  to  molest  his  command.  The 
alarm  at  Tampico  did  not  entirely  subside  for  a  number 
of  weeks.  The  ordinary  supplies  of  the  market  were 
nearly  cut  off,  and  General  Garey  was  reported  to  be 
moving  upon  the  town  with  3,000  troops.  On  the  29th 
of  July  the  schooner  Petrel,  Lieutenant  Moore  in  com 
mand,  proceeded  up  the  Panuco,  in  tow  of  the  steamer 
Undine,  with  a  detachment  of  marines  on  board,  and  a 
field-piece  in  addition  to  her  armament  ;  but  she  re 
turned  without  accomplishing  any  thing,  except  that 
the  enemy  were  intimidated  from  making  any  attack 
upon  Tampico,  if  it  had  been  in  contemplation.* 

Exaggerated  rumors  of  the  approach  of  large  bodies! 
of  troops  constantly  reached  the  American  camp  at 
Buena  Vista,  where  General  Wool  remained  in  com 
mand,  during  th6  summer  of  1847.  General  Urrea 
was  known  to  be  at  Tula  with  about  1,500  troops,  and 
after  General  -Valencia  was  ordered  to  Mexico,  with 
his  division,  General  Filisola  was  left  at  San  Luis  Po- 
tosi  with  3,000  men.  Canales  also  roamed  about  the 
country  with  several  hundred  men,  always  taking  care, 
however,  to  keep  out  of  the  way  of  harm.  Most  of 
the  rumors  in  circulation  had  reference  to  the  move 
ments  of  one  or  more  of  these  commanders,  and  par- 

*  Towards  the  latter  part  of  November,  the  Indian  population  near 
Huejutla  rose  against  the  troops  stationed  there,  and  commenced  mur 
dering  the  white  inhabitants.  The  latter  were  now  very  willing  to  im 
plore  aid  from  the  American  commander  at  Tampico.  Notwithstand- 
inf  their  former  treacherous  behavior,  Colonel  Gates  humanely  sent 
Captain  West,  with  two  companies  of  the  Louisiana  volunteers,  to  their 
assistance. 


442   PART  OF  GENERAL  TAYLOR^  FORCE  WITHDRAWN. 

ties  were  frequently  dispatched  in  different  directions, 
to  obtain  information.  In  July,  a  detachment  was 
sent  to  Parras  to  capture  Senor  Aguirre,  Governor  of 
the  State  of  Coahuila,  but  they  came  back  without  His 
Excellency,  though  bringing  with  them  a  quantity  of 
captured  provisions. 

In  the  expectation  of  being  ordered  to  advance  into 
the  interior,  General  Taylor  directed  a  camp  of  instruc 
tion  to  be  formed  at  Mier,  early  in  the  summer,  in  or 
der  to  have  his  troops  ready  for  active  duty  in  the 
field.  The  camp  was  organized  by  General  Hopping, 
who  was  placed  in  command  of  the  upper  district  on  the 
Rio  Grande — Colonel  Davenport,  of  the  1st  infantry, 
being  assigned  to  the  lower  district.  Colonel  Belknap, 
of  the  8th  infantry,  was  ordered  to  take  the  immediate 
charge  of  the  camp,  but  before  it  had  fairly  gone  into 
operation,  General  Taylor  received  orders  to  detach  a 
large  portion  of  his  troops  to  reinforce  the  column  un 
der  General  Scott.  The  brilliant  results  which  had 
attended  the  operations  of  the  General-in-Chief  on  the 
line  of  the  National  Road,  and  the  necessity  of  opening 
his  communications  with  the  sea-coast,' rendered  it  as 
necessary  as  it  was  advisable,  to  strengthen  his  column 
without  delay.  Several  new  volunteer  regiments  had 
previously  joined  General  Taylor,  together  with  three 
regiments  of  infantry  raised  under  the  ten  regiment 
bill,  and  a  part  of  the  3rd  dragoons. 

Instructions  were  received  by  General  Taylor,  in 
August,  to  send  all  his  disposable  troops  to  Yera  Cruz; 
and,  in  accordance  therewith,  General  Gushing,  with 
his  brigade,  consisting  of  the  13th  infantry,  Colonel 
Echols,  and  the  Massachusetts  volunteers,  Colonel 
Wright ;  and  General  Lane,  with  the  4th  Ohio,  Colo- 


POSITION    OF    THE    TROOP3.  443 

nel  Brough,  and  4th  Indiana,  Colonel  Gorman,  forming 
the  brigade  under  his  command  ;  together  with  five 
companies  of  Texan  rangers,  under  Colonel  Hays,  were 
ordered  to  embark  forthwith  from  the  Rio  Grande. 
General  Marshall  was  also  directed  to  join  General 
Scott,  with  two  regiments  of  Kentucky  volunteers,  re 
cently  enrolled,  and  on  their  way  to  Vera  Cruz. 

After  the  departure  of  these  troops,  General  Taylor 
had  about  6,000  men  under  his  command,  including 
ten  companies  of  regular  dragoons,  belonging  to  dif 
ferent  regiments  ;  and  nine  companies  of  regular  artil 
lery,  also  belonging  to  different  regiments,  and  serving 
with  batteries,  or  garrisoning  the  forts  on  the  Rio 
Grande.  Besides  the  regular  cavalry,  there  were  five 
companies  of  Texas  horse,  and  four  companies  of  mount 
ed  volunteers  from  different  states.  The  10th  infantry, 
Colonel  Temple,  was  ordered  to  garrison  Matamoras 
and  Camargo.  Colonel  Butler,  with  the  companies  of 
the  3rd  dragoons,  was  also  stationed  on  the  Rio  Grande. 
Colonel  Tibbatts  garrisoned  Monterey  with  six  compa 
nies  of  the  16th  infantry,  and  the  remaining  four  com 
panies  of  his  regiment  occupied  Seralvo.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Fauntleroy,  with  his  squadron  of  the  2nd  dra 
goons,  and  the  battery  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Bragg, 
were  stationed  at  General  Taylor's  camp  at  Walnut 
Springs.  At  Buena  Vista  and  Saltillo,  were  the  Vir 
ginia  and  North  Carolina  regiments,  under  Colonels 
Hamtranck  and  Paine,  and  the  2nd  Mississippi  rifles, 
Colonel  R.  Davis,  with  the  heavy  battery  of  Captain 
Prentiss,  the  light  battery  of  Captain  Deas,  and  several 
companies  of  regular  and  volunteer  cavalry,  all  under 
the  orders  of  General  Wool. 

A  forward  movement  from  the  line  of  the  Sierra 


444      THE  COMMAND    TRANSFERRED   TO    GENERAL  WOOL. 

Madre  being  now  abandoned,  for  the  present,  General 
Taylor,  at  his  own  request,  was  permitted  to  return 
home  in  November,— leaving  General  Wool  in  com 
mand,  who  transferred  his  b^d-™iarters  So  Monterey. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

THE    GULF    SaUADRON. 

Expedition  against  Tuspan — Capture  of  the  Town — The  Carmelita — 
Recapture  of  Tabasco — Repeated  Skirmishes  with  the  Enemy — Af 
fair  at  Timulte — Abandonment  of  the  City — Difficulties  in  Yucatan. 

AFTER  his  return  from  Alvarado,  Commodore  Perry 
did  not  allow  the  vessels  belonging  to  the  Gulf  Squad 
ron  to  remain  for  a  long  time  rolling  lazily  at  anchor  in 
the  roadstead  of  Vera  Cruz, — swinging  slowly  with  the 
ebb  and  flow  of  the  tide,  or  tossing  uneasily  when  the 
breath  of  the  fitful  norther  swept  over  the  foaming 
waters.  Immediate  preparations  were  made  for  an 
expedition  against  Tuspan,  and  as  soon  as  every  thing 
could  be  got  in  readiness,  he  left  Vera  Cruz  with  the 
steamers  Mississippi,  Spitfire,  Vixen,  and  Scourge  ;  the 
frigate  Raritan  ;  sloops  of  war  John  Adams,  Albany, 
Germantown,  and  Decatur;  bomb-vessels  Vesuvius, 
^Etna,  and  Hecla ;  and  the  schooners,  or  gunboats, 
Bonita,  Petrel,  and  Reefer.  Nearly  500  men  belong 
ing  to  the  Ohio  and  Potomac,  both  of  which  remained 
off  Vera  Cruz,  were  distributed  among  the  different 
vessels. 

The  steamers  were  obliged  to  wait,  for  some  days, 
at  the  island  of  Lobos,  for  the  arrival  of  the  sailing  ves 
sels  ;  and  a  brief  delay  afterwards  took  place,  in  conse 
quence  of  the  dispersion  of  the  squadron  by  a  norther. 
But  all  was  ready  for  the  landing,  on  the  morning  of 


446  EXPEDITION    AGAINST    TUSPAN. 

the  18th  of  April, — the  day  on  which  the  heights  of 
Cerro  Gordo  were  carried  by  the  troops  under  General 
Scott.  The  Mississippi  anchored  off  the  bar  of  Tuspan 
river ;  the  small  steamers — their  masts  being  taken  out, 
and  otherwise  lightened — took  the  gunboats  and  barges 
in  tow,  carrying  in  all  1,200  men,  armed  with  cutlasses, 
pistols,  and  muskets,  and  two  pieces  of  field  artillery ; 
arid  the  other  vessels  of  the  squadron  remained  at  an 
chor  under  Tuspan  shoals,  from  six  to  eight  miles  east 
ward  of  the  bar. 

The  Spitfire,  under  Captain  Tatnall,  led  the  way 
over  the  bar,  followed  by  the  Vixen  and  Scourge,  each 
having  a  gunboat  in  tow.  Two  of  the  steamers  struck  ; 
but  they  soon  ploughed  their  way  over  the  sand,  and 
dashed  through  the  breakers.  At  noon  the  whole  flo 
tilla  had  entered  the  river.  Commodore  Perry  then 
hoisted  his  broad  pennant  on  board  the  Spitfire,  and 
commenced  the  ascent  of  the  stream.  About  five 
miles  from  the  mouth  of  the  river,  two  forts  were  dis- 
coveredj  on  the  right  bank,  the  guns  of  which  began  to 
play  briskly  upon  the  squadron.  The  small  boats  were 
immediately  manned  with  storming  parties,  and  darted 
for  the  shore,  under  cover  of  a  rapid  fire  from  the 
steamers  and  gunboats.  The  Mexicans  did  not  wait 
to  meet  the  assailants,  but  retreated  down  one  side  of 
the  hill,  as  the  gallant  tars  from  the  American  vessels 
sprang  up  the  other,  shouting  and  cheering  at  the  top 
of  their  voices.  The  forts  being  captured,  the  flotilla 
again  moved  forward. 

On  approaching  Tuspan,  another  fort  erected  on  a 
high  hill,  commanding  the  town,  opened  on  the  squad 
ron.  Volleys  of  musketry  were  fired,  at  the  same  time, 
from  the  thickets  of  chaparral  .on  the  bank  of  the  river. 
Two  parties  were  now  landed  ;  one  of  whom  proceeded 


CAPTURE    OP    THE    TOWN.  447 

against  the  fort,  which  was  carried  without  serious  re 
sistance,  and  the  other  entered  the  town.  Most  of  the 
inhabitants  had  fled  into  the  interior,  and  but  very  few 
soldiers  were  seen,  who  were  brave  enough  to  stand, 
even  for  a  few  moments,  before  the  American  fire. 
Commodore  Perry  took  possession  of  the  town,  having 
lost  but  seventeen  men,  killed  and  wounded,  during  the 
day,  and  ordered  the  forts  on  the  river  to  be  destroyed.* 
Those  inhabitants  who  were  peaceably  disposed,  were 
invited  to  return  and  resume  their  occupations ;  and 
on  the  22nd  instant,  the  Commodore  re-embarked  his 
forces,  and  set  sail  for  Vera  Cruz,  leaving  the  Albany 
and  Reefer,  under  Captain  Breese,  to  guard  the  river 
and'town,  and  also  directing  one  of  his  vessels  to  block 
ade  the  stream  on  which  the  town  of  Soto  de  Marina 
is  situated. 

The  attempt  of  the  Mexican  government  to  annoy 
American  commerce,  by  the  issue  of  letters  of  marque, 
was  wholly  unsuccessful.  Early  in  the  spring  of  1846, 
the  Carmelita,  a  merchant  vessel,  was  seized  on  the 
high  seas  and  carried  into  Barcelona,  by  an  armed  ves 
sel,  called  the  Unico,  claiming  to  cruise  under  Mexican 
authority.  The  alleged  prize  was  at  once  restored  by 
the  Spanish  authorities,  and  the  captors  were  impris 
oned  for  trial. f  This  was  the  only  capture  made  by 
the  enemy,  and  the  American  merchantmen  pursued 
their  way,  from  shore  to  shore,  unmolested,  while  our 

*  Several  guns  of  the  Truxton,  which,  it  will  be  recollected,  was  lost 
on  the  bar  at  the  mouth  of  Tuspan  river,  in  the  summer  of  1846,  were 
found  mounted  in  the  forts.  These,  with  a  number  of  other  articles  be 
longing  to  the  same  vessel,  were  all  recovered,  and  taken  away  by  the 
squadron. 

f  Annual  Report  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  December  6th, 
1847. 


448  SECOND    VISIT    TO    TABASCO. 

vessels  of  war  continued  the  rigid  blockade  of  the  Mex 
ican  ports. 

The  next  enterprise  of  any  moment,  undertaken  oy 
Commodore  Perry,  was  a  visit  to  Tabasco,  whose  citi 
zens  had  threatened  the  population  of  Fronteira  with 
their  vengeance,  for  daring  to  hold  intercourse  with 
the  American  vessels.  The  ^Etna  and  Bonita,  under 
Commander  Van  Brunt,  were  sent  to  protect  the  place 
soon  after,  the  capture  of  Tuspan,  and  on  the  1st  of 
June  the  Spitfire  left  Vera  Cruz,  and  arrived  at  Fron 
teira  on  the  3rd  instant,  where  she  remained  until  the 
llth.  She  then  ran  down  the  coast,  fringed  with  the 
rich  Campeachy  dye-woods,  and  adorned  with  the 
beautiful  forests, — 

"  Where  the  palm  tapers,  and  the  orange  glows, 

Where  the  light  bamboo  weaves  her  feathery  screen, 

And  her  far  shade  the  matchless  ceiba  throws ! — 

to  Laguna,  the  highest  port  of  Yucatan,*  sixty  miles 
distant  from  Fronteira.  The  steamer  Scorpion,  bomb- 
vessel  Hecla,  and  a  gunboat,  under  Commander  Bige- 
low,  were  at  Laguna ;  and  on  the  12th  instant,  the 
Spitfire  returned  to  Fronteira,  in  company  with  the 
Scorpion,  to  take  part  in  an  expedition  up  the  river. 

Commodore  Perry  reached  Fronteira  with  the  Mis 
sissippi,  and  the  other  vessels  of  the  attacking  squadron, 
on  the  13th  instant;  and,  at  sunset  on  the  following 
day,  the  flotilla  of  small  steamers  and  gunboats  weighed 
anchor,  and  commenced  ascending  the  stream.  Com 
modore  Perry,  in  the  Scorpion,  with  the  brig  Wash- 

*  Yucatan  signified  her  willingness  to  reunite  with  the  other  Mexi- 
fan  States,  under  the  constitution  adopted  after  the  return  of  Santa 
Anna;  but  she  took  very  little  part  in  the  war.  Supplies  had  been 
shipped  from  Laguna,  but  this  could  not  be  continued  after  the  blockade 
•f  the  port. 


ABOENT    OF    THE    RIVER.  449 

ington  and  bomb- vessel  Vesuvius  in  tow,  moved  in 
advance  ;  followed  by  the  Spitfire,  with  the  bomb-ves 
sel  Stromboli,  and  the  Bonita  ;  the  Vixen,  having  the 
^Etna  in  tow ;  and  the  Scourge,  with  a  schooner  con 
taining  the  apparatus  of  Captain  Taylor  to  lighten  the 
vessels  over  any  obstruction  in  the  river.  Each  vessel 
towed  from  ten  to  twenty  small  boats,  loaded  down  to 
the  gunwales  with  armed  sailors  and  marines,  and  field 
artillery.  The  whole  force  amounted  to  about  1,500 
men,  and  the  aquatic  procession,  which  was  nearly  six 
miles  in  length,  presented  a  most  imposing  sight,  as  it 
wound  up  the  crooked  stream. 

At  sunset  on  the  15th,  the  flotilla  arrived  within  five 
hundred  yards  of  the  "  Devil's  Bend,"  near  which  obsta 
cles  had  been  sunk  to  prevent  the  ascent  of  the  river. 
Here  they  were  suddenly  hailed  by  volleys  of  musketry 
fired  from  the  thick  screen  of  mangrove-trees  on  the 
starboard  bank.  Streams  of  grape  and  canister  were 
instantly  poured  upon  the  enemy,  who  soon  deserted 
the  bushes ;  and  the  vessels  then  came  to  anchor  for 
the  night.  A  straggling  fire  was  kept  up,  but  no 
attempt  was  made  to  attack  the  Americans,  who  had 
prepared  themselves  against  a  surprise. 

The  morning  of  the  16th  dawned  beautifully,  and 
the  fragrant  and  balmy  breeze  that  stole  through  the 
branches  of  the  tall  palms  bending  so  gracefully  over 
the  stream,  scarcely  disturbed  its  silvery  current. 
Lieutenant  May  was  now  ordered  forward  with  a 
boat's  crew  to  sound  the  river,  and  the  other  vessels 
followed  to  protect  him.  While  engaged  in  making 
the  soundings,  the  party  were  fired  upon  from  a  con 
cealed  breastwork,  which  was  silenced  by  the  guns  of 
the  squadron.  Commodore  Perry  then  determined  to 
land  a  part  of  his  force,  and  assault  the  town  in  rear. 


450  THE    CITY    CAPTURED. 

while  the  vessels  should  move  up  and  attack  it  in  front. 
At  eleven  o'clock  the  commodore  put  off  for  the  shore, 
with  800  men  in  sixty  barges,  and  eight  six-pounder 
guns.  An  irregular  militia  force,*  under  General 
Bruno,  had  been  organized  to  defend  the  approaches  to 
Tabasco,  but  the  landing  was  not  seriously  opposed. 
The  Americans  sprang  up  the  steep  banks  of  the  river, 
with  deafening  shouts,  dragging  the  field-pieces  after 
them,  and  dashed  along  the  road  leading  to  the  town, 
but  four  miles  distant  by  the  land  route. f 

The  vessels  remained  at  anchor  for  about  two  hours, 
when  they  again  moved  up  the  river,  running  over  the 
bar  in  nine  feet  water,  and  turning  up  some  of  the  piles 
which  formed  the  chevaux-de-frise.  The  drums  beat 
to  quarters,  and  the  men  all  took  their  stations,  antici 
pating  a  warm  reception  from  the  enemy.  On  turn 
ing  the  bend  below  Fort  Accachappa,  its  heavy  twenty- 
four-pounders  sent  forth  a  thundering  peal,  which  was 
promptly  answered  by  the  long  guns  of  the  flotilla, 
whose  shot  and  shell  told  with  singular  precision.  Vol 
leys  of  musketry  were  also  rained  incessantly  from  the 
bushes,  and  the  carbines  of  the  Americans  were  soon 
actively  served.  In  a  few  moments  the  Mexican  flag 
was  struck ;  three  or  four  rounds  of  short-fused  shell 
and  grape  were  thrown  from  the  Spitfire  ;  and  Lieu 
tenant  Porter  then  pulled  for  the  shore  with  about 

*  The  central  government  of  Mexico  made  few  or  no  attempts  to  aid 
the  departments  remote  from  the  capital,  and  left  them  to  rely  mainly 
upon  their  own  resources.  Had  the  inhabitants  of  Tabasco  been  more 
united,  the  Americans  would  probably  have  found  greater  difficulty  in 
capturing  the  town,  but  it  has  long  been  the  theatre  of  incessant  broila 
and  strifes,  and  was  poorly  prepared  to  resist  an  invader. 

f  Commodore  Perry  landed  upon  the  same  spot  where  Cortes  em 
barked  a  part  of  his  force,  under  Avila,  previous  to  his  capture  of  Ta- 
oasco. 


SKIRMISHES.  451 

twenty  men,  and  displayed  the  stripes  and  stars  on  the 
captured  fort.  The  breastwork  was  pierced  for  four 
guns,  three  of  them  twenty-four-pounders,  and  the 
fourth  a  smaller  piece.  Three  six-pounder  field-pieces 
were  also  found  in  the  fort,  which  were  borne  away  as 
trophies, — the  other  guns  being  spiked. 

In  the  meantime  a  party  from  the  Scorpion  had 
landed  in  the  city,  about  half  a  mile  further  up,  where 
they  were  met  by  the  alcalde,  who  surrendered  the 
place.  A  considerable  force,  under  General  Garcia, 
had  been  stationed  in  the  city  for  its  protection,  and 
disregarding  the  action  of  the  civil  authorities,  they 
commenced  firing  upon  the  Americans  from  the. house 
tops  and  corners  of  the  streets.  Midshipman  Brice- 
land  broke  a  hole  through  the  roof  of  the  Governor's 
house,  and  planted  the  American  flag  amidst  a  shower 
of  bullets.  Commodore  Perry  shortly  after  came  up 
with  the  land  force,  having  driven  the  Mexican  mili 
tia,  from  thicket  to  thicket,  as  he  advanced  ;  and  the 
armed  parties  of  the  enemy  now  abandoned  the  town 
to  the  victors. 

Leaving  the  Spitfire,  Vixen,  Scourge  and  ^Etna,  as 
guard-ships  at  Tabasco,  Commodore  Perry  returned  to 
Fronteira  with  the  remainder  of  the  flotilla.  The  Mex 
icans  were  not  disposed  to  rest  quiet,  especially  when 
so  feeble  a  force  was  left  to  overawe  them.  Including 
the  marines,  the  Americans  could  muster  but  175  men 
to  serve  ashore.  These  were  quartered  in  the  main 
plaza,  with  three  field-pieces,  and  the  guns  of  the  vessels 
were  trained  so  as  to  rake  the  suburbs  with  shell.  The 
Mexican  guerilleros  prowled  about  the  town  every 
night,  plundering  the  citizens,  and  annoying  the  Amer 
icans  on  shore.  During  the  day  they  secreted  them 
selves  in  the  thickets  and  thatched  huts  on  the  outskirts 


452  AFFAIR    AT    TIMULTB. 

of  the  city,  or  in  the  neighboring  villages.  Several 
skirmishes  took  place,  in  the  course  of  which  a  number 
of  the  light  bamboo  cottages  were  burned  by  the  Amer 
icans.  At  length  the  latter  became  nearly  worn  out 
with  incessant  watching  and  fighting,  and  the  Vixen 
was  dispatched  to  Commodore  Perry  for  assistance. 
She  returned  on  the  29th  of  June,  with  a  reinforce 
ment  of  100  sailors  and  marines  ;  and  on  the  1st  of 
July  a  force  of  200  men,  consisting  of  ninety  marines, 
under  Lieutenants  Slack,  Shuttleworth  and  Adams,  the 
crew  of  the  Spitfire  under  Lieutenant  Porter,  and  a 
number  of  officers  and  volunteers,  from  the  Scorpion, 
JEtna,  and  Scourge,  with  two  field-pieces,  marched 
against  Timulte,  a  small  village  four  miles  from  Ta 
basco.  About  five  hundred  of  the  Tabasco  militia,  un 
der  Generals  Chigane  and  Garcia,  were  in  ambuscade 
near  the  town,  and  fired  upon  the  party  as  they  ap 
proached  The  contest  was  brief.  The  guns  \vere 
fired  but  twice  before  the  enemy  \vere  seen  scattering 
through  the  bushes  in  flight.  The  sailors  and  marines 
pursued  them  till  they  were  quite  exhausted,  when  or 
ders  were  given  to  return  to  Tabasco,  where  they  ar 
rived  at  sunset,  having  captured  a  large  quantity  of 
arms  and  ammunition,  and  killed  and  wounded  from 
seventy-five  to  one  hundred  of  the  enemy,  with  the 
loss  of  only  two  men  killed  and  four  wounded. 

Commodore  Perry  retained  possession  of  Tabasco 
until  the  22nd  of  July,  when  he  ordered  the  place  to  be 
evacuated,  not  caring  to  expose  the  health  of  his  men 
by  the  permanent  occupation  of  the  city.  Many  of  the 
inhabitants,  through  fear  of  the  ragged  and  half-starved 
soldiery,  who  had  previously  been  quartered  on  them, 
accompanied  the  American  vessels  to  Fronteira,  where 
Commander  Van  Brunt  was  directed  to  remain,  with 


DIFFICULTIES     IN     YUCATAN.  453 

the  Scourge,  ^Etna,  and  Bonita,  to  guard  the  river  and 
protect  the  inhabitants.  Commodore  Perry,  with  the 
rest  of  the  squadron,  returned  to  Vera  Cruz. 

During  the  further  continuance  of  hostilities,  the 
Gulf  Squadron  was  principally  employed  in  enforcing 
the  blockade,  and  in  affording  relief  to  the  white  in 
habitants  of  Yucatan.  The  Indian  population  of  the 
department  manifested  symptoms  of  hostility  early  in 
the  winter  of  1847.  A  disturbance  took  place  at  Tzi- 
mizin  in  February,  and  a  second  one  in  July  following. 
Subsequently  the  Indian  population  rose  in  a  mass,  and 
commenced  an  indiscriminate  massacre  of  the  whites. 
The  latter  were  forced  to  fly  to  the  seaports,  and  took 
refuge  on  board  the  vessels  lying  on  the  coast.  Com 
modore  Perry  assisted  them  as  far  as  he  was  able,  and 
a  treaty  was  finally  concluded  between  the  leading 
men  of  the  two  races,  when  quiet  and  order  were  re 
stored. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

CLOSING    SCENES    OF    THE    WAR. 

Defence  of  Puebla—  Occupation  of  the  Prominent  Points  on  the  Na 
tional  Road — March  of  General  Lane  to  the  Relief  of  Colonel  Childs 
— Battle  of  Huamantla— Attack  on  Atlixco — The  Guerilleros— Open 
ing  of  General  Scott's  Communications — The  Mexican  Congress  and 
Government — Negotiations  Resumed — The  Army  in  the  Capital — 
Orders  for  the  Collection  of  Taxes — Expedition  toTehuacan — Affairs 
in  California — Capture  of  Guayamas  and  Mazatlan — Defence  of  La 
Paz  and  San  Jose — March  of  General  Price  upon  Chihuahua — Storm 
ing  of  Santa  Cruz  de  Rosales. 

LIKE  the  memorable  retreat  of  the  British  army  from 
Burgos,  the  evacuation  of  their  capital  by  the  Mexican 
forces  was  peculiarly  unfortunate.  Its  consequences 
were  more  disastrous  than  the  loss  of  a  dozen  pitched 
battles.  The  legitimate  fruits  of  insubordination  were 
speedily  visible  ;  and  the  murmur — at  first  low,  but  por 
tentous — soon  swelled  into  a  loud  and  general  outburst 
of  discontent.  There  were  angry  disputes  and  alter 
cations  among  the  officers ;  and  the  leaven  of  strife, 
once  animated,  spread  rapidly  through  the  ranks. 
The  National  Guard  disbanded  by  companies  and  reg 
iments, — many  of  their  number  returning  to  the  city, 
to  mingle  with  the  populace  and  excite  them  to  ven 
geance, — some  flying  to  join  the  guerilla  bands  on  the 
line  of  the  National  road, — and  others,  who  did  not  care 
again  to  incur  the  hazards  and  chances  of  war,  escap 
ing  to  the  more  distant  sections  of  the  country. 

Santa  Anna  no  longer  possessed  the  ability  to  con- 


GARRISON    OF    PUEBLA.  455 

trol  the  turbulent  masses  of  which  his  army  was  com 
posed  ;  the  spell,  by  which  he  had  harmonized  the  dis 
cordant  elements,  was  dissolved  ?  his  influence  was 
gone — the  wand  of  the  magician  broken.  Accom 
panied  by  from  three  to  four  thousand  infantry  and 
lancers,  he  directed  his  course  towards  the  city  of  Pu- 
ebla,  already  threatened  by  a  large  force  of  irregular 
cavalry  and  guerilleros,  under  General  Rea.  General 
Alvarez,  with  about  three  thousand  men,  moved  round 
the  valley,  into  the  State  of  Oajaca;  and  still  another 
fragment  of  the  once  formidable  array,  consisting  of 
cavalry,  artillery  and  infantry,  followed  the  movement 
to  Queretaro,  under  General  Herrera.  While  on  his 
way  to  the  new  seat  of  government,  the  acting  Presi 
dent,  Peria  y  Peria,  directed  an  order  to  be  issued  at 
Toluca,  requiring  Santa  Anna  to  surrender  the  com 
mand  of  the  forces  under  his  immediate  orders  to  Gen 
eral  Rincon,  until  his  conduct  should  be  examined  into 
by  a  military  council.  Before  the  order  was  received, 
he  had  once  more  learned  how  vain  it  was,  how  worse 
than  useless,  to  struggle  against  his  destiny. 

When  General  Scott  moved  from  Puebla  upon  the 
Mexican  capital,  it  will  be  remembered,  Colonel  Childs 
was  left  in  command  at  the  former  place,  with  a  garri 
son  composed  of  detachments  from  different  regiments. 
His  actual  effective  force  numbered  about  400,  con 
sisting  of  one  company  of  the  3rd  dragoons,  under  Cap 
tain  Ford,  one  company  of  the  2nd  and  one  of  the  4th 
artillery,  under  Captains  Kendrick  and  Miller,  and  six 
companies  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Black.*  Besides  these,  however,  there  were 
1,800  sick  in  the  hospitals — a  great  number  of  whom 

*  Colonel  Childs  had,  also,  a  company  of  Mexican  spies,  under  Cap 
tain  Arria,  who  did  good  service  in  the  defence  of  the  city. 


456  INVESTMENT    OF    THE    CITY. 

were  convalescent,  or  became  so  not  long  after  the  de 
parture  of  the  main  army,  and  were  capable,  either  of 
bearing  arms,  or  of  aiding,  in  some  other  manner,  in 
the  defence  of  the  positions  occupied  by  the  garrison, — - 
which  was  thus  increased  to  near  1,400  men. 

During  the  occupation  of  Puebla  by  the  American 
forces,  Atlixco  became  the  seat  of  government  of  the 
state  ;  guerilla  expeditions,  to  operate  in  different  di 
rections,  were  fitted  out  here  ;  and  it  was  also  the 
head-quarters  of  General  Rea,  who  commanded  the 
regular  and  irregular  troops  in  this  quarter.  A  tolera 
ble  degree  of  quiet  prevailed  in  the  city  of  Puebla,  sub 
sequent  to  the  forward  movement  of  General  Scott, 
and  while  the  armistice  was  in  force,*  except  that,  on 
the  2Gth  of  August,  a  large  body  of  the  enemy's  cavalry 
appeared  in  sight,  and  captured  and  drove  off  a  num 
ber  of  mules.  A  small  party  of  twenty-six  men,  mostly 
teamsters,  immediately  mounted  and  started  in  pursuit. 
Within  an  hour's  ride  of  the  city,  they  were  surrounded 
by  the  enemy,  and  nearly  annihilated.  Ten  of  the 
party  were  killed,  several  badly  wounded,  and  a  few 
taken  prisoners. 

After  this  occurrence,  no  further  open  act  of  hos- 
til.ity  took  place,  although  robberies  were  frequently 
committed  by  the  guerilleros,  in  the  city  and  its  vicin 
ity,  until  the  night  of  the  13th  of  September,  when  a 
warm,  but  desultory  fire,  was  opened  from  the  main 
street  leading  to  the  Plaza,  the  Tivoli,f  and  the  tops  of 

*  The  official  dispatches  of  General  Scott,  communicating  the  events 
of  the  19th  and  20th  of  August,  which  were  sent  by  carriers  provided 
with  passports  from  Santa  Anna,  while  the  armistice  was  in  force,  did 
not  reach  Puebla,  in  consequence  of  the  guerilleros  infesting  the  road. 

t  The  Tivoli  is  one  of  the  finest  ornaments  of  Puebla.  It  is  a  moat 
beautiful  promenade,  with  three  broad  avenues,  linexl  with  stately  trees, 
each  separated  by  a  stream  of  water. 


THE    AMERICAN    POSTS.  457 

some  of  the  neighboring  houses,  on  the  citadel  of  San 
Jose,  within  the  protection  of  which  the  hospitals  had 
been  removed  upon  the  first  indications  of  an  outbreak. 
The  fire  proceeded  from  the  forces  of  General  Rea, 
about  4,000  in  number,  who  had  entered  the  town  in 
the  course  of  the  day,  with  a  determination,  in  con 
junction  with  the  lower  classes  of  the  inhabitants,  to 
force  the  Americans  to  abandon  their  positions. 

San  Jose  was  the  head-quarters  of  Colonel  Childs, 
and  the  principal  depot  of  supplies.  The  immediate 
command  of  the  post  was  intrusted  to  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Black,  who  had  with  him  four  companies  of  the 
1st  Pennsylvania,  Captain  Ford's  company  of  dragoons, 
Captain  Miller's  company  of  artillery,  and  a  battery  of 
mountain  howitzers  in  charge  of  Lieutenant  Laidley, 
of  the  ordnance.  Two  other  prominent  points  in  the 
city, — Fort  Loretto,  and  the  Convent  of  Guadaloupe, — 
were  likewise  garrisoned.  The  latter  is  the  first  object 
of  importance  that  attracts  the  attention,  as  you  enter 
the  town  by  the  National  road,  from  the  east ;  it  is 
perched  on  an  eminence,  on  the  right,  commanding  the 
approaches  in  that  direction,  and  has  a  ditch  and  revet 
ted  wall  around  it ;  but,  during  the  siege,  it  was  in  a 
dilapidated  condition.  Fort  Loretto,  on  the  same  ridge, 
but  lower,  and  further  to  the  west,  is  a  regular  work, 
with  four  barbette  batteries,  one  at  each  angle,  which 
commands  a  great  part  of  the  city,  and  rakes  the  prin 
cipal  street.  This  was  garrisoned  by  about  350  men, 
consisting  of  Captain  Kendrick's  company  of  artillery, 
Captain  Hill's  company  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  and 
a  number  of  sick  who  were  convalescent,  with  two 
twelve-pounder  field  guns,  and  a  ten-inch  mortar — the 
whole  commanded  by  Major  Gwynn,  of  the  6th  in 
fantry.  Captain  Morehead,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania, 


458  REPEATED    ATTACKS. 

4» 

occupied  the  Convent  of  Guadaloupe,  with  one  com 
pany  of  his  regiment ;  a  number  of  sick,  convalescent ; 
and  two  mountain  howitzers,  under  Lieutenant  Ed 
wards,  of  the  2nd  artillery. 

The  fire  of  the  enemy  on  the  night  of  the  13th  of 
September,  was  briskly  returned  by  Lieutenant  Colo 
nel  Black,  who  remained  with  his  command,  including 
the  inmates  of  the  hospital  able  to  carry  muskets,  on 
the  roofs  of  San  Jose  and  the  adjacent  buildings,  till 
the  morning  of  the  14th.  At  night  the  firing  recom 
menced  with  more  spirit  and  warmth,  and  was  contin 
ued  day  after  day,  and  night  after  night,  until  the  gar 
rison  were  almost  worn  out  with  watching  and  exposure. 
The  number  of  the  assailants  was  augmented  daily,  and 
their  fire  grew  more  intense.  On  the  22nd  instant, 
Santa  Anna  arrived  with  the  troops  who  had  followed 
him  from  Mexico ;  and  the  domes  and  towers  of  the 
cathedral,  its  dark  gray  walls  of  porphyry,  and  the 
spires  and  roofs  of  the  humbler  church  edifices  in  the 
city,  were  vocal  with  the  merry  peals  rung  forth  to 
welcome  his  approach.  A  prompt  discharge  of  shells 
and  round-shot  from  Fort  Loretto,  -which  had  several 
times  silenced  unusual  disturbances  in  the  city,  or 
checked  the  enemy's  fire  when  it  became  too  hot,  soon 
put  an  end  to  the  ringing  of  the  bells. 

The  enemy,  with  their  numerous  cavalry,  had  suc 
ceeded,  at  the  commencement  of  the  siege,  in  cutting 
off  all  kinds  of  supplies ;  but  they  vainly  attempted  to 
change  the  current  of  the  stream  of  water  on  which 
the  Americans  depended.  Fortunately,  the  latter  had 
secured  four  hundred  sheep  and  thirty  head  of  cattle, 
the  very  night  before  the  flocks  and  herds  disappeared 
from  the  vicinity.  Still,  it  seemed  as  if  that  feeble  gar 
rison  must  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  numerous  army  that 


SUMMONS    TO    SURRENDER.  459 

had  invested  the  posts  they  occupied.  Yet,  notwith 
standing  their  precarious  position,  they  were  animated 
by  the  best  spirit,  and,  with  a  bold  and  determined 
front,  an  undoubting  confidence,  and  a  courage  of 
mailed  proof,  they  awaited  the  general  assault  which 
they  supposed  would  shortly  be  made.* 

On  the  23rd  instant,  a  dropping  fire  was  kept  up  on 
San  Jose ;  and  a  part  of  the  enemy's  forces  were  sent 
against  Guadaloupe,  but  they  were  repulsed  with  se 
vere  loss,  and  retired  in  great  haste  and  disorder.  A 
second  attempt  was  made  on  the  convent,  in  the  after 
noon  of  the  24th,  by  a  party  about  500  strong,  under  a 
general  officer,  who  approached  within  one  hundred 
and  fifty  yards  of  the  breastwork,  and  discharged  their 
pieces.  A  brisk  fire  dispersed  them  in  a  moment,  with 
the  loss  often  men  killed,  and  a  much  greater  number 
wounded.  Fort  Loretto  remained  unmolested,  though 
its  guns  rendered  essential  service,  in  checking  the 
constant  shower  of  bullets  poured  from  the  streets  and 
balconies,  the  house-tops  and  churches,  upon  the  gar 
rison  of  San  Jose. 

On  the  25th  of  September,  Santa  Anna  summoned 
Colonel  Childs  to  surrender,  informing  him  that  there 
were  8.000  men  in  his  vicinity,  but  offering  to  permit 
him  and  his  command,  if  they  evacuated  the  city  within 
a  certain  time,  to  join  General  Scott,  or  the  garrison 
of  Perote.  But  one  reply  could  be  given  to  the  sum 
mons  ; — where  duty  pointed,  there  inclination  led  the 

*  "  Never  did  troops  endure  more  fatigue,  by  watching  night  aftei 
night,  for  more  than  thirty  successive  nights,  nor  exhibit  more  patience, 
spirit,  and  gallantry.  Not  a  post  of  danger  could  present  itstlf,  but  the 
gallant  fellows  were  ready  to  fill  it.  Not  a  sentinel  could  be  shot,  but 
another  was  anxious  and  ready  to  take  his  place.  Officers  and  soldiers 
vied  with  each  other,  to  be  honored  martyrs  in  their  country's  cause." — 
Official  report  of  Colonel  Childs,  October,  13th  1&17. 

22 


460  CONTINUED    FIGHTING. 

way.  Colonel  Childs  assured  the  Mexican  commander, 
on  the  same  day,  that  his  means  were  ample ;  and  that, 
as  he  had  been  left  to  guard  the  positions  held  by  his 
troops,  he  should  defend  them  to  the  last.  He  then 
rode  to  the  different  posts,  and  communicated  both  the 
summons  and  reply  to  his  men,  who  gave  the  latter  a 
most  cordial  and  hearty  response. 

Contrary  to  the  expectations  of  the  American  troops, 
no  attack  was  made  on  the  night  of  the  25th,  or  on  the 
following  day.  On  the  27th,  the  assault  was  resumed, 
and  a  heavy  cannonade  was  opened  from  San  Juan  de 
Dios,  and  the  convents  of  Santa  Rosa,  and  Santa  Mo 
nica.  A  constant  fire  was  now  kept  up  from  Fort  Lo- 
retto,  from  which  the  city  and  the  inhabitants  suffered 
severely.  Infantry  pickets  were  also  detailed  from  the 
fort,  who  became  warmly  engaged  with  parties  of  the 
enemy.  In  the  morning  of  the  29th,  Lieutenant  Lewis 
sallied  out  from  Guadaloupe,  with  a  party,  and  attacked 
a  body  of  Mexicans  firing  on  San  Jose ;  after  a  sharp 
conflict,  in  which  eight  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  and 
a  great  number  wounded,  a  shower  of  rain  compelled 
him  to  retire.  Another  successful  sally  was  made  from 
the  same  point,  in  the  afternoon,  by  a  party  under 
Lieutenant  Bryan. 

During  the  night  of  the  XI9th,  Santa  Anna  placed 
two  six-pounders  in  battery,  above  the  Tivoli,  pro 
tected  by  a  breastwork  of  cotton  bags,  which  opened 
with  much  spirit  on  San  Jose,  in  the  morning  of  the 
30th  instant.  In  anticipation  of  this  movement,  Col 
onel  Childs  had  thrown  up  a  traverse  on  the  Plaza,  and 
withdrawn  a  twelve-pounder  from  Fort  Loretto,  with 
which  he  returned  the  enemy's  fire.  Throughout  the 
day  the  firing  was  animated  and  incessant ;  but,  fail 
ing  to  make  any  impression  on  the  American  works, 


REINFORCEMENTS    FOR    THE    ARMY.  461 

the  Mexican  guns  ceased  playing  towards  nightfall, 
and  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of  Octoher,  Santa  Anna 
marched  out  from  the  city  with  his  troops,  and  three 
pieces  of  artillery,  to  meet  the  reinforcements  under 
stood  to  be  hastening  up  from  the  coast,  to  the  relief 
of  Colonel  Childs.  General  Rea  remained  with  his 
forces,  and  continued  the  attack  with  vigor  and  zeal. 

Reinforcements  for  the  column  under  General  Scott 
were  constantly  arriving  at  Vera  Cruz,  during  the 
summer  and  fall,  and  were  dispatched  as  rapidly  as 
possible  into  the  interior,  to  open  his  communications, 
and,  if  necessary,  to  join  the  main  body  of  the  army. 
Colonel  Hughes,  of  the  Maryland  and  District  of  Co 
lumbia  volunteers,  left  Vera  Cruz  on  the  6th  of  Sep 
tember,  with  a  battalion  of  his  regiment,  one  company 
of  the  llth  and  one  of  the  12th  infantry,  and  100 
Louisiana  cavalry — in  all  400  strong — together  with 
two  pieces  of  artillery.  The  guerilleros  were  discov 
ered,  as  usual,  at  the  Robbers'  Den  ;  but  they  did  not 
attempt  to  impede  his  march.  On  the  9th  instant, 
the  command  approached  the  National  Bridge,  when 
the  enemy's  heads  wrere  seen  peeping  over  the  fortifi 
cations  on  the  heights.  The  guns  were  immediately 
planted  within  six  hundred  yards  of  the  fort,  but  the 
Mexicans  were  found  to  be  posted  too  high  to  be 
reached  by  their  fire  ;  whereupon  Colonel  Hughes  or 
dered  the  hill  to  be  carried  with  the  bayonet.  Major 
Kenley  moved  up  in  reverse  with  three  companies, — 
his  men  laying  aside  their  jackets  and  knapsacks,  and 
carrying  nothing  but  their  arms  and  canteens.  Nearly 
three  hours  were  spent  in  climbing  the  steep  ascent, 
which  could  only  be  done  by  clinging  to  the  roots,  and 
the  long  trailing  vines  of  the  dark  purple  grape,  that 
were  spread  all  over  the  hill-side.  On  reaching  the 


462       GENERAL  LANE  LEAVES  VERA  CRUZ, 

crest,  the  party  paused  a  few  seconds  for  breath,  and 
then  dashed  into  the  fort  which  the  enemy  had  hur 
riedly  evacuated.  Having  thus  driven  the  Mexicans 
from  the  position,  Colonel  Hughes  established  his  troops 
at  this  point,  to  keep  the  road  open. 

Colonel  Collins,  of  the  5th  Illinois,  followed  the  com 
mand  of  Colonel  Hughes  in  a  few  days,  with  a  part  of 
his  regiment,  and  a  detachment  of  Louisiana  rangers, 
under  Captain  Fairchild,  and  took  post  at  the  Rio 
Frio.  He  was  once  attacked  by  the  guerilleros,  but 
repulsed  them  with  loss.  On  the  10th  of  September, 
Captain  Heiritzleman,  of  the  2nd  infantry,  left  Vera 
Cruz,  with  a  mixed  command  of  350  men,  and  halted, 
temporarily,  at  the  San  Juan  river.  General  Lane 
took  up  the  line  of  march,  on  the  19th  instant,  with 
over  1,700  men, — his  command  consisting  of  the  4th 
Ohio,  Colonel  Brough;  4th  Indiana,  Colonel  Gorman; 
Captain  Lewis'  company  of  Louisiana  cavalry ;  and  a 
detachment  of  recruits  for  different  regiments  of  regu 
lars,  under  Captain  Simmons ;  together  with  the  light 
batteries  of  Captain  Taylor,  of  the  3rd  artillery,  and 
Lieutenant  Pratt,  of  the  2nd  artillery.  On  approach 
ing  the  San  Juan,  a  party  of  gueriileros  was  discov 
ered  near  the  hacienda  of  Santa  Anna,  and  Captain 
Lewis  was  detached  with  his  company  in  pursuit ; 
Lieutenant  Lilley,  with  a  part  of  the  company,  came 
up  with  the  enemy,  and  a  smart  skirmish  ensued,  in 
which  the  Mexicans  were  severely  worsted.  On  leav 
ing  Paso  de  Ovejas,  also,  the  rear-guard  was  fired 
upon  by  a  small  guerilla  force,  and  a  brief  conflict 
took  place,  in  which  Lieutenant  Kline,  of  Captain 
Lewis'  company,  was  killed.  The  enemy  were  again 
driven  off,  and  the  command  continued  their  march, 


MARCH    TO    THE    RELIEF    OF    COLONEL    CHILD3.         463 

having  been  joined  by  the  detachmen*  ^nder  Captain 
Heintzleman. 

General  Lane  left  a  portion  of  the  Indiana  regiment, 
under  Major  McCoy,  at  the  Puente  Nacional  ;  but, 
upon  his  arrival  at  the  Plan  del  Rio,  on  the  27th  of 
September,  he  learned  that  Major  Lally,  then  at  Ja- 
lapa,  had  received  orders  to  move  forward  to  Puebla 
with  all  possible  speed.  General  Lane  instantly  sent 
an  express  back  to  the  National  Bridge,  with  orders 
for  Major  McCoy  to  join  him  at  once  with  all  the  dis 
posable  troops  at  the  post,  except  the  battalion  of  Col 
onel  Hughes'  regiment.  When  Major  McCoy  came 
up,  the  column  pressed  rapidly  forward  towards  Pu 
ebla,  through  Jalapa  and  Perote,  taking  with  them  the 
troops  under  Major  Lally  and  Colonel  Wynkoop.  At 
Perote,  General  Lane  was  informed  that  a  large  force 
was  concentrating  in  his  front,  and,  on  reaching  the 
hacienda  of  San  Antonio  Tamaris,  on  the  morning  of 
the  9th  of  October,  he  learned  that  the  enemy  were  at 
the  city  of  Huamantla,  which  lies  between  Perote  and 
Puebla,  and  a  little  east  of  the  National  road. 

Leaving  his  train  at  San  Antonio  Tamaris,  guarded 
by  the  Ohio  regiment,  Captain  Simmons'  detachment, 
and  Lieutenant  Pratt's  battery,  General  Lane  advanced 
against  Huamantla,  where  Santa  Anna  was  concen 
trating  his  forces,  for  the  last  time,  as  it  proved,  during 
the  war,  to  encounter  an  American  commander.  The 
force  moving  upon  Huamantla  was  something  more 
than  2,000  strong,*  and  consisted  of  four  companies 
of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  under  Colonel  Wynkoop; 
Colonel  Gorman's  Indiana  volunteers  ;  the  detach 
ments  under  Major  Lally,  and  Captains  Heintzleman 
and  Simmons  ;  four  companies  of  mounted  rifles  and 


*  General  Lane's  whole  command  numl1***!  about  3,300. 


464  AFFAIR    AT    HUAMANTLA. 

volunteer  cavalry,  under  Captains  Walker,  Besan^on, 
Loyall,  and  Lewis  ;  and  five  pieces  of  artillery,  under 
Captain  Taylor.  The  Americans  arrived  near  the 
city  about  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  General 
Lane  then  ordered  Captain  Walker  to  move  ahead  of 
the  column  with  the  cavalry  companies,  but  to  keep 
within  supporting  distance,  and,  if  the  enemy  were  in 
force,  to  wait  for  the  infantry  to  close  up. 

When  within  three  miles  of  the  city,  parties  of 
horsemen  were  seen  making  their  way  towards  it, 
through  the  fields,  and  Captain  Walker  advanced  at  a 
gallop : — owing  to  the  dense  thickets  of  maguey  lining 
the  road,  it  was  impossible  to  distinguish  his  further 
movements,  from  the  main  column ;  but,  in  a  few  mo 
ments,  a  sharp,  quick  firing  was  heard  in  the  direction 
of  the  town.  At  the  same  time  a  body  of  lancers, 
supposed  to  be  over  2,000  strong,  commanded  by 
Santa  Anna  in  person,  were  observed  moving  rapidly 
over  the  hills,  in  a  line  parallel  with  the  march  of  the 
American  troops,  as  if  striving  to  reach  the  city  before 
them.  General  Lane  immediately  hurried  forward, 
with  the  remainder  of  his  troops,  at  a  run.  Colonel 
Gorman  was  directed  to  enter  the  west  side  of  the 
city  with  his  regiment ;  while  Colonel  Wynkoop's 
battalion  and  the  artillery,  having  Captain  Heintzle- 
man's  detachment  on  their  right,  moved  towards  the 
east  side.  The  command  of  Major  Lally  was  held  in 
reserve. 

On  gain;ng  the  entrance  of  the  city,  Captain  Walker 
discovered  about  five  hundred  of  the  enemy,  with  three 
pieces  of  artillery,  in  the  Plaza,  and  ordered  a  charge. 
His  men  rushed  forward  gallantly,  routed  the  Mexicans 
in  an  instant,  and  drove  them  from  their  guns.  While 
the  command  were  scattered  in  the  pursuit,  and  conse 


DEFEAT  OF  THE  ENEMY.  4G5 

quently  somewhat  in  disorder,  Santa  Anna  fell  upon 
them  with  his  lancers.  A  fierce  hand-to-hand  conflict 
took  place,  in  which  the  American  cavalry  sustained 
considerable  loss.  Captain  Walker  was  killed  fi^htin<r 

*  CD  O 

bravely ;  but  his  men  held  the  ground  manfully,  though 
unable  to  fire  the  captured  guns,  from  the  want  of  prim 
ing  tubes.  Colonel  Gorman,  however,  had  now  arrived 
with  the  Indiana  volunteers,  and  opened  a  well-directed 
fire  on  the  enemy.  Their  line  soon  wavered  and  broke. 
Before  Colonel  Wynkoop  and  the  artillery  came  within 
range,  they  were  completely  dispersed,  the  city  was  in 
possession  of  the  American  troops,  and  the  colors  of 
the  Indiana  regiment  planted  on  the  arsenal.  Two  of 
the  Mexican  pieces  were  captured ;  together  with  a 
large  quantity  of  ammunition,  and  a  number  j  vvacron?, 
which  General  Lane  ordered  to  be  destroyed.  The 
enemy  lost  one  hundred  and  fifty,  killed  and  wounded, 
in  this  affair ;  and  the  Americans  thirteen  killed  and 
eleven  wounded.  A  number  of  prisoners  were  also 
taken,  among  whom  were  Colonel  La  Vega,  and  Major 
Iturbide, — the  latter  a  son  of  the  former  Emperor  of 
Mexico. 

Having  rejoined  his  train,  General  Lane  proceeded 
to  Puebla,  where  he  arrived  on  the  12th  of  October. 
As  his  troops  approached  the  city,  a  rapid  firing  was 
heard,  which  assured  him  that  Colonel  Childs  was  not 
yet  entirely  vanquished.  Feeling  confident,  therefore, 
that  his  force  was  strong  enough  to  enter  the  town  at 
once,  he  directed  Colonel  Brough,  with  the  Ohio  regi 
ment  and  Captain  Heintzleman's  detachment,  to  pro 
ceed  along  the  main  road,  and  Colonel  Gorman,  with 
the  Indiana  volunteers,  to  feel  his  way  cautiously  into 
the  city,  further  to  the  east  and  left. 

The  attack  on  the  American  posts  in  Puebla,  was 


466  SUCCESSFUL    SORTIES. 

continued,  without  cessation,  after  the  departure  of 
Santa  Anna.  On  the  2nd  of  October,  Colonel  Childs 
availed  himself  of  the  reduction  of  the  enemy's  num 
bers,  to  make  a  sortie  against  some  barricades  and  build 
ings,  the  fire  from  which  had  become  very  annoying. 
One  of  the  expeditions  was  confided  to  Captain  Small, 
of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  who  passed  through  the  walls 
of  an  entire  square,  by  the  aid  of  picks  and  crowbars, 
with  fifty  men,  gained  a  position  opposite  one  of  the 
largest  barricades,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  behind 
it  with  great  loss, — they  leaving  seventeen  dead  on  the 
ground.  The  barricade,  consisting  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty  bales  of  cotton,  was  consumed  ;  and  Captain  Small 
retained  possession  of  a  prominent  building  near  it,  for 
twenty-four  hours,  when  it  was  blown  up  by  Lieutenant 
Laidley.  Another  expedition  was  intrusted  to  Lieu 
tenant  Morgan,  of  the  14th  infantry,  with  a  detach 
ment  of  marine'  -tnd  Lieutenant  Merrifield,  of  the  15th 
infantry,  w'  a  party  of  rifles.  They  attempted  to 
gain  possession  of  certain  buildings  from  which  a  gall 
ing  fire  was  constantly  poured,  but  were  only  partially 
successful,  and  returned  again  to  San  Jose.  On  the 
5th  instant,  Captain  Herron,  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania, 
was  detached  with  his  company  to  take  possession  of 
a  building,  from  which  the  enemy  had  been  enfilading 
the  Plaza,  and  accomplished  it  in  a  handsome  manner. 
Successful  sorties  were  also  made  from  Guadaloupe,  on 
the  6th  and  8th,  by  Lieutenant  Edwards  and  Captain 
Johnson,  with  small  parties. 

The  assailants  were  largely  reinforced  on  the  8th 
instant;  the  supplies  of  the  garrison  were  growing 
low ;  and  affairs  began  to  assume  a  still  more  critical 
aspect.  Still,  there  were  no  symptoms  of  giving  way, 
arid  none  proposed  a  surrender.  The  Mexicans  made 


ARRIVAL    OF    GENERAL    LANE    AT    PUEBLA.  467 

a  close  demonstration  in  the  afternoon  of  the  8th,  but 
were  promptly  met  and  repulsed.  On  the  10th,  hos 
tilities  were  suspended ;  a  few  scattering  shots  were 
thrown  until  the  night  of  the  llth  ;  and  on  the  follow 
ing  morning  the  enemy  began  to  retire  from  their  posi 
tions.  The  movement  had  already  commenced  when 
General  Lane  arrived  with  his  reinforcements,  and 
opened  his  fire  on  the  disappointed  troops  of  General 
Rea.  Meanwhile  Lieutenant  Colonel  Black  had  moved 
down  the  main  street,  with  two  companies  of  the  1st 
Pennsylvania,  under  Captains  Hill  and  Herron,  to  si 
lence  a  warm  fire  still  kept  up  near  the  Plaza.  At  his 
approach,  a  body  of  lancers  fled  down  a  cross  street, 
and  Captain  Herron  was  directed  to  move  round  the 
square  with  his  company,  and  cut  off  their  retreat. 
Whilst  hastening  to  execute  the  order,  Captain  Herron 
was  suddenly  surrounded  by  over  five  hundred  lancers, 
who  charged  upon  him  from  the  lanes  and  cross-streets 
intersecting  the  road  along  which  he  was  moving ;  his 
men  fought  with  the  utmost  desperation,  losing  thirteen 
killed  and  four  wounded  ;  but  they  were  at  length  res 
cued  from  their  perilous  situation  by  the  timely  arrival 
of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Black,  with  Captain  Hill's  com 
pany,  who  had  moved  upon  the  enemy  in  front. 

The  long-continued  siege  of  the  posts  occupied  by 
the  American  troops  in  the  city  of  Puebla,  was  now 
terminated.  Their  anxiety  and  suspense  were  at  an 
end.  Although  they  had  lost  but  nineteen  killed  and 
fifty-one  wounded  during  the  attack,*  and  had  never 
doubted  their  ability  to  maintain  the  position  ;  yet,  their 
emotions  can  be  more  easily  conceived  than  expressed, 

*  From  the  nature  of  the  case,  it  was  impossible  to  ascertain  the  ex 
tent  of  the  enemy's  loss,  in  the  course  of  the  siege.  It  has  been  esti 
mated  at  from  500  to  1,000  killed  and  wounded. 


468  MARCH    AGAINST    ATLrXCO. 

when  they  caught  sight  of  the  glistening  sabres,  the  flash 
ing  bayonets,  and  the  victorious  banners  of  General 
Lane,  as  his  columns  wound  through  the  now  almost 
deserted  streets  ;  and  when  his  trumpets  sounded  their 
shrill  notes  of  defiance,  every  man  breathed  "  freer  and 
deeper,"  and  felt  prouder  of  his  country,  of  her  honor 
and  fame. 

On  the  evening  of  the  18th  of  October,  General  Lane 
learned  that  General  Rea  was  then  quartered  at  At 
lixco,  about  ten  leagues  distant,  with  a  considerable 
force,  and  immediately  made  preparations  for  a  forced 
march  on  that  place  on  the  ensuing  day.  At  eleven 
o'clock  in  the  forenoon  of  the  19th,  he  left  Puebla  with 
the  4th  Ohio,  Colonel  Brough  ;  the  4th  Indiana,  Colonel 
Gorman;  a  battalion  of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  Colonel 
Wynkoop ;  the  battalions  of  Major  Lally  and  Captain 
Heintzleman;  the  batteries  of  Captain  Taylor  and 
Lieutenant  Pratt ;  and  a  squadron  of  dragoons,  under 
Captain  Ford. 

General  Lane's  column  pressed  forward  all  day,  at 
a  rapid  rate,  though  exposed  to  the  broiling  sun,  which 
beat  fiercely  on  their  heads  ;  and  at  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  they  reached  Santa  Isabella,  three  leagues 
from  Atlixco,  where  the  Mexican  advance  guard  was 
posted.  The  enemy's  outposts  were  driven  in  by  the 
dragoons,  who  pursued  them  for  more  than  a  mile. 
They  then  made  a  stand  on  a  small  hill,  and  contested 
the  ground  warmly,  until  the  American  infantry  ap 
peared,  when  they  continued  their  retreat.  A  run 
ning  fight  was  kept  up  for  four  miles,  and,  within  a 
mile  and  a  half  of  Atlixco,  the  main  body  of  the  en 
emy  were  discovered  posted  on  the  side  of  a  hill  cov 
ered  with  thick  chaparral.  The  American  dragoons 
dismounted,  and  fought  on  foot,  cutting  and  hewing 


CAPTURE    OF    THE    TOWN.  409 

the  way  with  their  sabres.  The  contest  was  severe 
and  bloody,  and  the  hill-side  was  strewn  with  the 
dead  bodies  of  the  Mexican  guerilleros.  The  in 
fantry,  nearly  exhausted,  and  panting  for  breath,  hav 
ing  strained  every  nerve  for  the  last  six  miles,  soon 
arrived,  and  the  enemy  again  retreated.  The  artil 
lery  took  no  part  in  the  skirmishing,  as  the  road  was 
intersected  by  such  deep  gulleys  that  they  could  only 
advance  at  a  walk. 

Although  his  horses  and  men  were  almost  over 
come,  General  Lane  followed  like  a  sleuth-hound  on 
the  track.  Notwithstanding  their  utmost  efforts,  his 
troops  were  unable  to  reach  Atlixco  before  the  night 
had  set  in.  The  moon  was  shining  gloriously,  how 
ever  ;  and  its  softened  light  came  down  pure  and 
clear,  through  the  highly  rarified  atmosphere  of  that 
elevated  clime,  throwing  out  the  prominent  objects 
in  bolder  relief,  and  enveloping  the  shadows  in  still 
deeper  gloom.  Several  shots  were  fired  upon  the 
Americans  as  they  approached  the  town,  but  General 
Lane  deemed  it  unwise  to  risk  a  street  fight,  in  a  place 
of  which  he  and  his  men  were  so  entirely  ignorant. 
He  therefore  ordered  the  batteries  to  be  brought  up, 
and  to  open  their  fire.  A  most  picturesque  sight  was 
now  presented,  and  it  might  even  have  been  consid 
ered  beautiful,  were  it  not  for  the  blazing  roofs  and 
tumbling  walls,  the  shrieking  women  and  affrighted 
children.  The  cannonade  was  continued  for  about 
three-quarters  of  an  hour,  and  Colonel  Brough  and 
Major  Lally  were  then  ordered  to  advance  with  care 
and  caution.  The  ayuntamiento  soon  made  their  ap 
pearance,  and  begged  that  the  town  might  be  spared. 
General  Lane  listened  to  their  request,  and  suspended 
his  operations.  In  the  morning  search  was  made  for 


470  THE    GUERILLA    BANDS. 

arms  and  ammunition,  quantities  of  which  were  found 
and  destroyed. 

General  Rea  made  his  escape  from  Atlixco  with 
400  guerilleros ;  but  the  stroke  was  as  effectual,  as 
it  was  bold  and  well-executed.  The  inhabitants  of 
the  town  had  hitherto  clamored  loudly  for  a  contin 
uance  of  the  war,  but,  now  that  its  terrors  wrere 
brought  to  their  own  firesides,  they  began  to  assume  a 
more  pacific  tone.  General  Lane  lost  but  one  man 
killed,  and  one  wounded,  during  the  day  ; — while  the 
enemy  had  210  killed,  and  about  300  wounded.  On 
his  return  to  Puebla,  he  learned,  when  at  Cholula, 
that  two  pieces  of  artillery  had  just  been  finished 
at  Guexocingo,  whither  he  proceeded  with  a  portion 
of  his  command,  and  destroyed  the  carriages, — the 
guns  having  been  previously  removed  by  the  enemy. 

Bands  of  guerilleros  still  hovered  in  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Puebla,  after  the  arrival  of  General  Lane 
with  reinforcements,  and  the  consequent  raising  of 
the  siege.  The  official  reports  of  General  Scott  were 
repeatedly  intercepted  ;*  and  on  the  19th  of  October, 
Lieutenant  Sears,  of  the  2nd  artillery,  on  his  way 
down  from  Puebla,  with  dispatches,  escorted  by  a 
Mexican  spy  company,  under  Captain,  or,  as  he  is 
sometimes  called,  Colonel  Dominguez,  \vas  attacked 
near  that  city  by  a  large  force  under  General  Tor- 
rejon.  Having  beaten  off  the  enemy,  he  proceeded 
on  his  course;  but,  on  encountering  another  body 
under  Colonel  Varnos,  within  a  short  distance,  he 
was  obliged  to  return,  having  lost  fifteen  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  two  engagements.  The  enemy's  loss 

*  The  first  information  received  of  the  battles  in  the  valley  of  Mexico, 
on  the  8th,  13th  and  14th  of  September,  came  through  Mexican  sources, 
and,  of  course,  was  greatly  exaggerated  and  untrue. 


SEVERE    CHASTISEMENT.  471 

w&s  near  one  hundred.  The  escort  accompanying 
the  bearer  of  dispatches  was  now  joined  by  a  part 
of  the  1st  Pennsylvania,  under  Colonel  Wynkoop, 
who  proceeded  as  far  as  the  Plan  del  Rio,  and  soon 
after  returned  with  General  Patterson. 

But  the  plundering  propensities,  and  hostile  feelings 
of  the  guerilleros,  were  not  manifested  alone  towards 
the  Americans,  and  those  connected  with  them.  On 
the  8th  of  November,  a  train  of  thirty- six  wagons, 
containing  merchandise  belonging  to  merchants  in 
Puebla  and  Mexico,  left  the  former  place  on  their  way 
to  the  capital.  On  reaching  San  Martin,  Generals 
Rea  and  Torrejon  made  a  descent  upon  the  train, 
with  a  guerilla  force,  and  captured  it.  Information 
of  this  transaction  was  speedily  conveyed  to  General 
Lane,  at  Puebla,  who  forthwith  started  in  pursuit  of 
the  marauders,  with  a  party  of  cavalry  and  infantry. 
At  Tlascala  he  overtook  the  enemy,  who  were  pro 
ceeding  towards  Queretaro  with  their  booty.  Cap 
tain  Roberts,  of  the  mounted  rifles,  in  command  of 
the  cavalry,  fell  upon  a  portion  of  the  guerilleros,  who 
were  attempting  to  run  off  the  train,  and  routed  them, 
with  ease, — killing  seventeen  of  their  number,  and 
taking  thirteen  officers  prisoners.  The  wagons,  ex 
cept  a  number  which  had  been  destroyed,  together 
with  their  contents,  were  recaptured. 

General  Patterson  arrived  at  Vera  Cruz,  with  large 
reinforcements,  shortly  after  General  Lane  left  for  the 
interior.  In  pursuance  of  special  instructions  from 
the  War  Department,  he  took  effectual  measures  to 
clear  the  road  of  the  guerilleros,  and  to  open  the  com 
munications  of  General  Scott. 

For  the  greater  part  of  the  distance  between  Vera 
Cruz  and  the  mountainous  country,  the  roads  traver- 


472  HAUNTS    OF    THE    GUERILLEROS. 

sing  the  low  level  are  lined,  on  either  side,  by  almost 
impervious  thickets  of  chaparral,  with  openings,  at 
rare  intervals,  through  which  glimpses  may  be  otv 
tained  of  the  lovely  sylvan  bowers  of  the  tierra  call- 
ente,  spangled  with  flowers,  and  overhung  with  the 
arching  trees  loaded  down  with  their  abundant  foliage, 
and  the  gay  vines  and  creepers  lovingly  entwined 
about  their  branches.  These  thickets  are  intersected 
by  narrow,  blind  paths,  running  hither  and  thither, 
and  forming  a  maze  as  intricate  as  the  windings  of  the 
Cretan  labyrinth.  Leading,  as  they  do,  to  the  haunts 
of  the  bandits  and  guerilleros,  they  are  familiar  to 
those  who  use  them,  in  the  darkest  night.  They  thus 
serve,  both  as  a  covert  from  which  an  enemy  may 
be  fired  on  unseen,  and  as  hiding-places  in  which  it 
is  easy  to  elude  pursuit ;  and  had  those  who  fre 
quented  them,  during  the  war  with  the  United  States, 
been  animated  only  by  that  noble  and  exalted  feeling 
of  patriotism,  which  nerves  the  arm,  and  strengthens 
the  heart,  the  losses  of  the  American  army  would 
have  been  far  greater,  and  more  terrible  and  severe. 

Father  Jarauta,  who  seems  to  have  been  the  lead 
ing  chieftain  among  the  guerilleros,  from  Perote  to  the 
Gulf,  had  given  orders  to  his  men  to  shoot  every 
person  who  carried  provisions  into  Vera  Cruz.  He 
had,  doubtless,  a  twofold  object  in  view: — to  stop 
the  supplies,  and  to  excite  the  population  to  join  his 
rapidly  diminishing  band.  But  his  plans  were  soon 
defeated  by  the  active  and  vigilant  measures  of  Gen 
eral  Patterson.  The  country  between  the  Jalapa  and 
Orizaba  roads,  was  thoroughly  scoured  by  the  Texan 
rangers,  under  Colonel  Hays,  at  all  times  the  terror  of 
the  guerilleros,  and  the  other  volunteer  cavalry.  A 
great  number  of  the  bandits  were  killed ;  their  haunts 


EXECUTION    OF    MEXICAN    OFFICERS.  473 

and  depots  were  broken  up ;  and  large  stores  of  arms 
and  ammunition  were  captured  and  destroyed. 

Having  effectually  routed  the  guerilla  bands,  for  the 
present,  General  Patterson  left  Vera  Cruz,  to  join 
General  Scott,  with  nearly  4,000  troops.  When  he 
reached  the  National  Bridge,  he  received  a  message 
from  Father  Jarauta,  making  proposals  for  a  surren 
der,*  which  he  declined  ;  accompanying  his  reply, 
however,  with  some  wholesome  advice,  counselling 
him  to  keep  out  of  reach,  or  to  forsake  his  occupation, 
if  he  hoped  to  secure  favor  or  commiseration,  should 
the  chances  of  war  place  him  in  the  power  of  the 
American  soldiers.  The  13th  infantry,  Colonel  Ech- 
ols,  and  the  light  battery  of  the  Maryland  and  District 
of  Columbia  regiment,  under  Captain  Tilghman,  which 
had  accompanied  General  Patterson  from  Vera  Cruz, 
remained  at  the  Puente  Nacional,  and  the  remainder 
of  the  column  pushed  on  to  Jalapa,  whither  Colonel 
Wynkoop  had  returned  from  the  Plan  del  Rio,  with 
his  command. 

While  at  Jalapa,  on  the  24th  of  October,  General 
Patterson  caused  two  Mexican  officers,  who  had  been 
found  in  command  of  guerilla  parties,  in  violation  of 
paroles  previously  given,  to  be  executed.  The  Gen 
eral  was  earnestly  besought  to  spare  them,  by  the 
clergy,  and  the  principal  citizens  of  Jalapa,  but  refused 
to  pardon,  well  knowing  that  the  lesson  would  not  be 
lost  on  others  situated  like  themselves,  many  of  whom 
were  directly  or  indirectly  connected  with  the  guerilla 

*  The  proposition  of  Jarauta  was  perhaps  made,  on  account  of  the 
dissensions  among  the  guerilleros.  His  own  immediate  band  was  mostly 
composed  of  Spaniards,  while  Colonel  Zenobio  commanded  a  party  of 
native  Mexicans.  A  serious  difficulty  happened  in  October,  that  ter 
minated  in  a  fight  between  the  two  bands,  in  which  the  Mexicans  were 
•adly  beaten. 


474  GENERAL    SCOTT    REINFORCED. 

movements.*  These  officers  with  two  others,  were 
captured  on  the  night  of  the  19th  of  October,  by  Col 
onel  Wynkoop.  He  had  learned  that  the  Indian  town 
of  Halcomulco,  thirty  miles  from  Jalapa,  was  a  noted 
haunt  of  the  guerilleros,  and  set  out  for  that  place  in 
the  evening  with  a  party  of  Texan  rangers,  under 
Captain  Witt.  Coming  suddenly  upon  the  enemy's 
pickets  he  forced  them  to  act  as  guides,  and  entered 
the  town*  The  officers  were  surprised  in  their  beds ; 
and,  having  secured  his  prisoners,  Colonel  Wynkoop 
was  on  his  way  back  to  Jalapa  before  sunrise. 

General  Gushing  was  left  in  command  at  Jalapa, 
with  the  Massachusetts  regiment,  and  a  detachment  of 
mounted  men  ;  and  General  Patterson  then  moved  for 
ward  towards  Mexico,  being  joined  by  the  1st  Pennsyl 
vania.  He  arrived  at  the  capital  with  his  reinforce 
ments  about  the  1st  of  December — the  last  of  his  com 
mand  reaching  the  city  on  the  8th  instant. 

General  Butler  reached  Vera  Cruz,  on  his  way  to 
the  head-quarters  of  the  army,  on  the  17th  of  Novem 
ber.  As  soon  as  his  arrangements  could  be  completed, 
he  marched  for  the  capital,  with  about  5,000  men*  who 
had  recently  arrived  from  the  United  States.  Colonel 
Hughes  was  now  ordered  forward  to  Jalapa  with  his 
regiment,  and  General  Gushing,  with  the  Massachusetts 
volunteers,  was  directed  to  proceed  to  Mexico.  At 
Puebla,  General  Butler  was  also  reinforced  by  the 
column  of  General  Lane;  and,  on  the  19th  of  Decem 
ber,  they  joined  the  main  body  of  the  army  under  Gen 
eral  Scott.  Towards  the  close  of  the  month,  General 

*  General  Patterson  was  equally  firm  where  his  own  men  were  lia 
ble  to  punishment.  On  the  day  previous  to  the  execution  of  the  Mexi 
can  officers,  two  American  teamsters,  whom  he  also  refused  to  pardon 
were  hung  for  killing  a  Mexican  boy. 


DISTRACTED    CONDITION    OF    MEXICO.  475 

Marshall  left  Vera  Cruz  with  over  1,700  men;  his 
command  consisting  of  the  3rd  Tennessee,  Colonel 
Cheatham  ;  a  battalion  of  infantry  recruits,  regulars 
and  volunteers,  under  Major  Morris,  of  the  4th  artil 
lery ;  and  the  Georgia  cavalry  battalion.  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Calhoun.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Miles,  of  the 
5th  infantry,  followed  General  Marshall  on  the  2nd  of 
January,  1848,  with  1,500  men,  and  having  overtaken 
the  latter  at  Jalapa,  they  proceeded  together  to  the  city 
of  Mexico.  Shortly  after  the  train  under  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Miles  left  Vera  Cruz,  Lieutenant  Walker,  of 
the  rifle  regiment,  in  command  of  the  rear-guard  of 
thirty  men,  was  attacked  by  three  or  four  hundred 
guerilleros,  who  killed  and  wounded  ten  of  his  men, 
and  captured  three  hundred  pack  mules.  Neither  train 
was  otherwise  seriously  molested  on  the  march  to  the 
capital.  The  guerilleros  had  been  terribly  cut  up,  and 
they  only  appeared  in  small  parties,  their  principal 
depredations  being  committed  on  the  merchant  trains. 
Upon  his  arrival  at  Queretaro,  Pena  y  Pena  issued 
a  proclamation  urging  Congress  to  hasten  the  meeting 
convoked  at  that  place ;  as  there  was  danger,  on  the 
one  hand,  of  losing  their  nationality,  and,  on  the  other, 
of  the  increase  of  the  anarchy  and  confusion  prevailing 
in  every  quarter  of  the  republic.*  The  country  was, 
indeed,  in  a  most  distracted  condition.  The  Puros,  or 
anti-sacerdotal  party,  in  Guadalnj;ira,  headed  by  Gomez 
Farias,  had  a  violent  struggle  with  their  opponents,  in 
which  the  cathedral  was  sacked,  and  a  number  of  per 
sons  were  killed,  among  whom  was  General  Ampudia, 
one  of  the  partisans  of  Farias.  Paredes  had  an  inter 
view  with  Jarauta  at  Tulancingo,  in  October;  a  pro- 

*  Proclamation  of  Senor  Rosa,  Secretary  of  State,  dated  October  13th, 
1847. 


476  MEETING    OF    CONGRESS. 

nunciamento  was  issued,  and  measures  were  concerted 
for  the  establishment  of  a  monarchy.  Santa  Anna  was 
quieted  for  the  time,  but  his  friends  and  followers  were 
still  seeking  an  opportunity  to  restore  him  to  power. 
After  his  defeat  at  Huamantla,  refusing  to  obey  the 
order  requiring  him  to  surrender  his  command  to  Gen 
eral  Rincon,  he  directed  the  greater  part  of  his  troops 
to  join  General  Alvarez  in  Oajaca,  and  the  remainder 
to  repair  to  Queretaro,  reserving  only  a  small  party  of 
hussars  as  a  body-guard.  At  first  he  endeavored  to 
make  his  way  out  of  the  country,  through  the  State  of 
Oajaca;  but  he  afterwards  returned  to  his  hacienda  at 
Tehuacan,  from  whence  he  addressed  a  protest  to  the 
new  government,  insisting  that  he  had  resigned  the 
executive  authority  temporarily,  in  order  to  enable  him 
better  to  act  with  the  army  against  the  enemy,  and  a 
letter  to  the  members  of  Congress,  expressing  similar 
sentiments.  He  also  issued  an  appeal  to  the  Mexican 
people,  on  the  16th  of  October,  complaining  of  the 
usage  he  had  received,  and  declaring  that  he  had  done 
every  thing  for  "  the  grandeur  and  glory  of  Mexico."* 
The  Mexican  Congress  finally  assembled  at  Quere 
taro  in  November,  and  on  the  llth  instant  made  choice 
of  General  Anaya  as  Provisional  President,  to  serve 
until  the  8th  of  January  following,  when  the  regular 
term  would  expire.  The  inaugural  address  of  General 
Anaya  was  not  warlike,  but  was  well  calculated  to 
soften  the  asperities  of  his  countrymen  ;  while  he  de 
clared  that  he  would  never  "  seal  the  dishonor"  of  his 
native  land,  he  pointed  them  to  the  fact,  which  could 

*  Santa  Anna  styled  himself  in  his  appeal,  "  Benemeritode  la  Patria," 
— ("  well  deserving  of  his  country.")  "I  have  not  spared,"  said  he,  at 
the  close  of  his  address,  "  my  blood  in  achieving  that  purpose.  You 
know  it,  and  you  will  do  me  justice.'1 


PACIFIC    TONE    OF    THE    GOVERNMENT.  477 

not  be  disguised,  that  their  internal  dissensions  for  the 
past  twenty-five  years,  had  brought  on  all  the  troubles 
and  embarrassments  under  which  they  now  suffered. 
The  reply  of  Congress  was  also  conciliatory,  and  a  vote 
was  soon  after  taken,  defeating  a  proposition  of  Senor 
Otero,  to  deprive  the  Executive  of  the  power  to  alienate 
any  portion  of  the  territory  of  the  republic,  which  indi 
cated  that  the  war  would  soon  be  brought  to  a  close. 
The  governors  of  the  several  states  likewise  met  at 
Queretaro,  and  in  reply  to  a  circular  from  the  Secre 
tary  of  State,  indicated  their  willingness  to  consent  to 
a  peace.  The  leading  members  of  the  cabinet,  Peria 
y  Pena,  Secretary  of  State,  and  Mora  y  Villamil,  Min 
ister  of  War,  were  open  and  avowed  friends  of  a  ces 
sation  of  hostilities  ;  and  the  former  manifested  a  great 
deal  more  firmness  in  maintaining  his  opinions,  than  he 
exhibited  as  one  of  General  Herrera's  advisers.* 

The  pacific  disposition  of  General  Anaya  was  mani 
Tested  still  further,  by  the  appointment  of  Seriores  Cue- 
vas,  Conto,  and  Atristain,  as  commissioners  to  treat 
with  Mr.  Trist.  The  authority  of  the  latter  had  been 
revoked,  in  the  meantime,  by  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  and  instructions  had  been  issued  to 
transmit  any  proposition  for  peace  that  might  be  re 
ceived,  directly  to  Washington.  The  Mexican  com- 

*  There  was  a  cause  for  this,  perhaps,  ns  the  power  of  the  array  which 
the  federalists  seem  all  along  to  have  dreaded,  more  than  any  thing 
else,  was  nearly  destroyed.  The  office  of  General-in-chief,  temporarily 
held  by  General  Gutierrez,  was  bestowed  on  General  Bustamerite,  for 
merly  a  prominent  centralist,  but  by  no  means  friendly  to  Santa  Anna. 
On  assuming  the  command  of  the  army,  General  Bustamente  issued  an 
address,  in  which  he  avowed  his  anxious  desire  to  have  an  opportunity 
of  retrieving  the  honor  of  his  country.  Overtures  were  held  out  to  him 
to  join  Paredes,  and  others,  who  were  disaffected,  in  overturning  the 
government,  and  renewing  the  war ;  but  he  remained  faithful  to  the 
trust  confided  to  his  hands. 


478  NEGOTIATIONS    RESUMED. 

missioners  were  extremely  anxious  to  enter  upon  nego 
tiations  at  once,  and  as  they  were  willing  to  do  so,  with 
a  full  knowledge  of  the  revocation  of  Mr.  Trist's  au 
thority,  he  decided,  under  the  advice  of  General  Scott, 
to  act  in  behalf  of  his  government.*  The  negotiations, 
however,  were  continued  for  several  weeks,  though 
with  every  prospect  of  a  speedy  settlement  of  the  dif 
ficulties  existing  between  the  two  countries  ;  the  delay 
being  mainly  occasioned  by  the  apprehensions  of  the 
return  of  Santa  Anna  from  his  retirement,  still  cherished 
by  the  leading  federalists,  Herrera,  Olaguibel,  Anaya, 
and  Pena  y  Pena.  General  Almonte,  long  his  bosom 
friend  and  confidant,  had  been  warmly  supported  for 
the  office  of  Provisional  President,  in  opposition  to 
General  Anaya,  and  they  were  fearful  that  he  might 
regain  the  ascendency. f  But  their  fears  proved  to  be 
unfounded  ;  Santa  Anna  was  completely  overwhelmed 
by  his  misfortunes ;  and  all  the  efforts  of  his  friends, 
whatever  may  have  been  their  object,  were  utterly 
abortive. 

The  brilliant  victories  of  General  Scott,  the  masterly 
display  of  military  skill  and  strategy,  exhibited  in  the 
reduction  of  San  Juan  de  Ulua,  and  in  turning  the 
fortifications  of  Cerro  Gordo,  El  Penon,  and  San  An- 

*  Special  Message  of  President  Polk,  February  22nd,  1848. 

f  "  I  had  a  long  conversation  with  Olaguibel,  the  governor  of  Mexico, 
during  which  I  mentioned  the  reinforcements  which  had  gone  forward. 
He  replied,  that  it  was  an  act  of  the  Mexican  government  for  which 
he  was  not  responsible,  and  then  added, — '  You  ought  to  know  Santa 
Anna,— he  is  deceiving  you:  he  wants  to  make  a  peace,  in  order  that 
he  may  remain  at  the  head  of  power ;  but  I  can  assure  you  there  will 
be  no  peace  until  his  power  and  that  of  the  army  is  destroyed.' " — Ex 
tract  of  a  letter  from  Mexico  dated  October  14th,  1847,  and  published  in 
the  '•  Union." — The  movement  of  troops  referred  to  by  the  writer  of  tha 
letter,  probably  had  reference  to  the  concentration  of  the  Mexican  forces 
at  Q,ueretaro,  a  precautionary  measure  which  was  very  naturally  adopted. 


COLLECTION    OF    TAXES.  479 

tonio,  closed  with  the  possession  of  the  Mexican  capi 
tal.  With  the  reinforcements,  the  arrival  of  which  has 
been  mentioned,  the  army  at  Vera  Cruz  and  Mexico, 
and  the  intermediate  points,  numbered  near  30,000 
men,  of  whom  about  20,000  were  effective.  The  main 
column,  under  the  General-in-chief,  was  increased  to 
not  far  from  15,000 ;  but,  as  the  Mexican  authorities 
manifested  a  disposition  to  treat  for  peace,  he  deter 
mined  not  to  continue  his  offensive  operations,  although 
his  troops  were  constantly  drilled,  and  every  prepara 
tion  made  to  fit  them  for  taking  the  field.  Towards 
the  latter  part  of  October,  1847,  Generals  Quitman  and 
Shields  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  General  P. 
F.  Smith  was  appointed  governor  of  Mexico. 

On  the  25th  of  November,  in  pursuance  of  instruc 
tions  from  home  requiring  him,  as  soon  as  practicable, 
to  raise  the  means  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  his 
army,  from  the  territory  occupied,  General  Scott  issued 
an  order  forbidding  the  exportation  of  uncoined  bull 
ion  from  the  Mexican  ports,  until  the  pleasure  of  his 
government  should  be  known,  and  directing  that  no 
rents  should  be  paid  for  quarters,  after  the  close  of  the 
month.  On  the  13th  of  December,  a  further  order  was 
issued,  which  directed  all  internal  taxes,  of  every  de 
scription,  in  the  states  occupied  by  the  American  troops, 
to  be  paid  over  to  the  officers  appointed  to  receive  them, 
for  the  support  of  the  army  of  occupation.  Measures 
were  likewise  taken  to  enforce  the  collection  and  pay 
ment  of  the  taxes,  and  detachments  were  ordered  to 
the  prominent  points  in  the  state  and  federal  district 
of  Mexico,  outside  the  capital.  Colonel  Withers,  of 
the  9th  infantry,  with  his  regiment,  a  squadron  of  dra 
goons,  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  was  ordered  to  Real 
del  Monte ;  General  Cadwalader  was  sent  to  Toluca 


480  DISTURBANCES    IN    THE    CAPITAL. 

with  his  brigade ;  and  Colonel  Clarke  was  afterwards 
detached  to  Cuernavaca,  in  former  times  the  favorite 
residence  of  Cortes,*  with  his  brigade,  consisting  of  the 
1st  and  15th  infantry,  the  Georgia  cavalry,  and  Lieu 
tenant  Lovell's  light  battery. 

Occasional  disturbances  took  place  in  the  capital, 
instigated  chiefly  by  Mexican  officers  and  soldiers,  in 
disguise,  and  more  especially  those  who  were  con 
nected  with  the  guerilla  bands ;  but  they  were  promptly 
put  down.  Inflammatory  articles  also  appeared  in  the 
Mexican  journals  that  were  allowed  to  be  published, 
which  were  only  prevented  by  the  positive  orders  of 
General  Scott  to  suppress  them,  unless  a  different 
course  was  pursued  .f  On  the  10th  of  January,  1848, 
he  received  information  that  a  general  rising  was  in 
contemplation  in  the  city.  During  the  day  previous 
to  the  night  on  which  the  insurrection  was  to  take 
place,  he  directed  preparations  to  be  made  to  prevent 
an  outbreak,  and  the  designs  of  the  enemy  were  thus 
frustrated.;]; 

*  Although  Cuernavaca  is  but  sixty  miles  from  Mexico,  it  is  sur 
rounded  by  fields  of  coffee  and  sugar-cane,  which  yield  an  abundant 
crop.  It  is  also  famous  for  the  splendid  groves  of  mulberry  trees  in  ite 
vicinity.  The  American  artillery  occupied  the  palace  of  Cortes,  now 
nearly  gone  to  decay.  "The  Conqueror's  palace,"  says  Madame  da 
Calderon,  (Life  in  Mexico,  vol.  ii.  let.  31,)  "is  a  half-ruined  barrack, 
though  a  most  picturesque  object,  standing  on  a  hill,  behind  which 
starts  up  the  great  white  volcano.' 

•(•  Newspapers  were  established  in  all  the  principal  towns  occupied 
by  the  American  troops,  under  their  auspices,  which  exerted  a  favorable 
tendency  in  the  restoration  of  peace.  It  was  a  novel  idea,  which  could 
certainly  never  have  entered  the  brain  of  Johannes  Faust,  that  the 
press  and  the  sword  should  thus  go  hand  in  hand  together. 

%  Father  Jarauta  and  General  Salazar,  the  latter  so  notorious  for  his 
cruelty  to  the  Texan  prisoners,  (See  Kendall's  Santa  Fe  Expedition,) 
were  prowling  round  the  city  about  this  time,  and  were  supposed,  not 
without  reason,  to  have  been  concerned  in  the  contemplated  movement 


COLONEL  HAYS  AND  JARAUTA.          481 

The  guerilleros  wore  not  yet  entirely  quieted,  al 
though  the  vigilance  of  Colonel  Wilson  at  Vera  Cruz, 
of  Colonel  Hughes  at  Jalnpa,  of  Colonel  Childs  at  Pu- 
ebla,  and  of  Colonel  Invin,  who  was  stationed  at  the 
pass  of  Rio  Frio,  with  the  5th  Ohio  volunteers,  pre 
vented  their  doing  much  harm.  Near  the  close  of 
December,  1847,  the  Mexican  spies,  under  Dominguez, 
had  a  brush  with  a  party  of  cavalry  escorting  Generals 
Mi  lion  and  Torre  jon,  between  Ojo  de  Agua  and  Napo- 
luca ;  the  lancers  were  dispersed,  and  the  two  generals 
taken  prisoners,  and  delivered  to  Colonel  Childs.  On 
the  1st  of  January,  1848,  Colonel  Wynkoop,  then  in 
pursuit  of  General  llea  and  Padre  Jarauta,  with  a  de 
tachment,  captured  Generals  Valencia  and  Arista. 
Colonel  Hays  and  his  rangers,  and  the  Mexican  spy 
companies,  were  also  constantly  on  the  alert  in  order 
to  surprise  Jarauta ;  and  early  in  January,  the  former 
came  unexpectedly  on  his  band,  near  San  Juan,  in  the 
valley  of  Mexico.  The  guerilleros  were  routed  in  an 
instant.  Jarauta  himself  fell  wounded,  but  was  borne 
off  by  his  men,  leaving  his  horse,  lance  and  cloak,  in 
the  hands  of  tl»^  rangers. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  18th  of  January,  Gen 
eral  Lane  left  the  capital — his  men  being  entirely  igno 
rant  of  their  destination — with  two  companies  of  the 
3rd  dragoons  and  one  of  mounted  rifles,  under  Major 
Polk,  of  the  3rd  dragoons,  and  four  companies  of  Texrm 
rangers,  under  Colonel  Hays,  in  all  350  strong.  The 
object  of  the  expedition  was  the  capture  of  Santa  Anna, 
then  understood  to  be  at  Tehuacan,  rather  for  the  pur- 
Imitating  the  example  of  his  superiors,  Jarauta  shortly  after  issued  a 
proclamation  to  the  Mexican  people,  calling  upon  them  to  awake  from 
their  lethargy,  and  to  rally  around  his  standard.  It  does  not  appear 
th*f  Ilia  exhortations  met  with  a  very  hr.irty  or  unanimous  response. 


482  EXPEDITION    TO    TEHUACAN. 

pose  of  relieving  the  apprehensions  of  the  Mexican  au 
thorities,  than  of  triumphing  over  a  fallen  enemy.  It 
was  also  designed  to  scour  the  country  in  the  neigh 
borhood  of  Orizaba,  in  search  of  property  taken  from 
the  American  trains.  Proceeding  rapidly  along  the 
National  road,  through  Puebla  and  Amasoque,  General 
Lane  turned  to  the  left  at  the  latter  place,  and,  passing 
through  rough  and  unfrequented  paths,  known  only  to 
him  and  his  guide,  arrived  at  a  hacienda  near  Santa 
Clara,  at  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  of  the  21st  instant, 
having  marched  a  distance  of  forty  miles,  from  Puebla, 
during  the  previous  night.  All  the  Mexicans  found  on 
the  road,  and  about  the  hacienda,  were  secured,  in 
order  to  prevent  the  alarm  being  communicated,  and 
at  sunset  the  troops  were  again  in  the  saddle.  Tehua- 
can  was  still  near  forty  miles  distant,  and  they  pressed 
forward  with  all  speed. 

But  the  precautions  of  General  Lane  were  rendered 
useless.  Shortly  after  leaving  the  hacienda,  the  party 
came  upon  a  Mexican  gentleman  travelling  in  his 
coach  with  a  number  of  servants,  under  a  passport 
from  General  Smith,  as  governor  of  Mexico.  He  was 
allowed  to  continue  his  journey  unmolested,  but  through 
his  instrumentality,  a  message  being  probably  conveyed 
through  some  secret  though  more  direct  path,  Santa 
Anna  was  apprised  of  his  danger ;  and  when  the  Ame 
ricans  entered  the  town  with  their  jaded  horses,  at 
daylight  on  the  22nd,  they  found  that  he  had  made  his 
escape.*  The  main  object  of  the  expedition  was  thus 

*  In  a  letter  to  the  Minister  of  War,  dated  at  Cascatlan,  February  1st, 
184H,  Santa  Anna  says  that  he  was  informed  of  the  approach  of  Gen 
eral  Lane,  nearly  two  hours  before  the  latter  reached  Tehuacan ;  and 
while  he  was  engaged  in  preparing  a  note,  requesting  that  a  passport 
might  be  sent  to  him.  to  enable  him  to  leave  tlie  country.  He  also 


STATE    OF    THINGS    IN    CALIFORNIA.  483 

defeated,  without  fault  or  negiect  on  the  part  of  any 
concerned.  General  Lane  accordingly  took  possession 
of  the  military  property  of  Santa  Anna,  in  the  absence 
of  its  owner,  and  on  the  23rd  instant  directed  his  course 
towards  the  beautiful  valley  and  town  of  Orizaba,  which 
is  situated  in  the  centre  of  a  romantic  and  fertile  dis 
trict,  chiefly  inhabited,  however,  by  bandits,  in  time  of 
peace,  and  guerilleros  in  time  of  war.  On  the  24th, 
General  Lane  entered  Orizaba,  the  ayuntamiento  of 
which  surrendered  the  town  without  resistance.  White 
flags  were  displayed  from  every  house,  as  the  Ameri 
cans  marched  through  the  streets.  Several  days  were 
spent  here  in  recovering  plundered  property,  and  the 
command  then  set  out  on  their  return,  arriving  at  the 
3apital  on  the  10th  of  February. 

It  is  now  time  to  refer  once  more  to  the  position  of 
tffairs  in  California  and  New  Mexico. — After  the  arri 
val  of  the  regiment  of  volunteers  under  Colonel  Ste- 
renson,*  it  was  distributed  through  Upper  and  Lower 
California ;  Colonel  Stevenson  was  stationed  at  Ciu- 
lad  de  los  Angelos,  with  four  companies ;  Major 
Hardy,  with  two  companies,  at  San  Francisco  ;  and 
the  other  companies  were  stationed  in  the  valley  of 
ihe  San  Joaquim,  and  at  Suters'  Fort,  on  the  Rio  Sac 
ramento,  with  the  exception  of  two  companies  sent  by 
sea,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Burton,  to  La  Paz. 

states,  that  he  took  refuge  in  the  town  of  Teotitlan  del  Camiro,  where 
there  was  a  force  from  the  state  of  Oajaca.  No  further  attempt  was 
made  to  capture  him,  and  he  was  subsequently  permitted  to  leave  Mex 
ico, — embarking  at  Antigua,  just  north  of  Vera  Cruz,  on  the  4th  of 
April,  in  a  Spanish  brig,  for  Kingston,  on  the  island  of  Jamaica. 

*  This  regiment  is  sometimes  termed  the  "  1st  New  York  Volunteer."," 
and  that  with  the  main  column  of  the  army,  under  Colonel  Burnett, 
the  "2nd  New  York  Volunteers,'1— both  regiments  having  been  raised 
In  the  Sute  of  N«w  York. 

23 


484  CAPTURE    OF    GUAYAMAS    AND    MAZATLAN. 

The  watchfulness  of  Colonel  Mason  prevented  any 
further  attempts  to  disturb  the  tranquillity  of  Upper 
California,  and  in  September,  1847,  Commodore  Shu- 
brick  set  sail  with  the  greater  part  of  his  squadron,  for 
the  purpose  of  capturing,  and  occupying  as  far  as  was 
practicable,  the  forts  on  both  sides  of  the  Gulf,  not 
already  in  possession  of  the  American  forces. 

On  the  20th  of  October,  Guayamas  surrendered  to 
Captain  Lavaliette,  who  had  with  him  the  frigate 
Congress  and  sloop  of  war  Portsmouth,  after  a  severe 
fire,  which  was  continued  for  nearly  an  hour,  doing 
considerable  damage  to  the  town,  and  killing  and 
wounding  a  number  of  Mexicans.  A  collector  was 
appointed  for  the  port,  but  the  place  was  not  perma 
nently  occupied.  The  Portsmouth,  Commander  Mont 
gomery,  was  left  to  blockade  the  port ;  and  the  Con 
gress  joined  Commodore  Shubrick,  who  proceeded  to 
Mazatlan,  with  the  Congress,  the  razee  Independence, 
the  sloop  of  war  Cyane,  Commander  Du  Pont,  and  the 
transport  Erie,  Lieutenant  Watson.  On  his  way  to 
Mazatlan,  Commodore  Shubrick  loft  Lieutenant  Hey- 
wood  at  San  Jose,  in  Lower  California,  with  thirty 
men  and  three  other  officers,  together  with  two  nine- 
pounder  guns,  to  occupy  the  place. 

On  the  morning  of  the  10th  of  November,  the  Amer 
ican  squadron  hove  in  sight  of  Mazatlan.  The  town 
was  instantly  in  commotion,  and  the  greater  part  of 
the  inhabitants  fled  into  the  interior.  A  large  body  of 
the  National  Guard  was  stationed  at  this  point,  with 
several  pieces  of  artillery,  under  Colonel  Tellez ;  but 
they  also  withdrew,  without  offering  any  opposition  ; 
and  on  the  llth  instant  Commodore  Shubrick  landed 
with  a  party  of  sailors  and  marines,  and  took  posses 
sion  of  the  town.  The  Mexican  troops  encamped  in 


LA    PAZ    AND    SAN    JOSfi.  485 

the  vicinity,  and  several  encounters  took  place,  with 
small  loss  on  either  side.  The  American  garrison  was 
continued  on  shore,  and  the  collection  of  duties  en 
forced  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

The  Portsmouth  remained  but  a  short  time  before 
Guayamas,  which  continued  for  several  weeks  to  be 
nearly  deserted  by  its  inhabitants;  and  the  sloop  of 
war  Dale,  Commander  Selfridge,  was  subsequently 
ordered  thither.  On  the  17th  of  November,  fifty  sail- 
ors,  under  Lieutenant  Smith  and  Passed  Midshipman 
Duncan,  and  seventeen  marines,  under  Lieutenant 
Tansill, — Commander  Selfridge  heading  the  party, — 
landed  for  the  purpose  of  examining  the  town  and  fort. 
They  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  from  the 
shore,  when  they  were  suddenly  attacked  by  about 
400  Mexicans,  secreted  behind  the  garden  walls  and  in 
the  houses.  A  brisk  fire  was  kept  up  by  both  parties, 
until  Lieutenant  Yard,  who  had  been  left  in  charge  of 
the  ship,  commenced  throwing  Paixhan  shells  into  the 
town.  This  had  the  desired  effect,  and  the  enemy 
again  abandoned  the  place  to  the  Americans.  Shortly 
after  this  affair,  an  expedition  of  the  officers  and  men 
of  the  Dale,  was  organized  for  a  march  into  the  inte 
rior.  They  surprised  a  body  of  Mexican  troops,  about 
three  miles  from  Guayamas,  under  General  Campu- 
nazo,  and  took  most  of  his  officers  and  men  prisoners. 

After  the  capture  of  Mazatlan,  the  Cyane  was  or 
dered  to  La  Paz,  and  the  Portsmouth  to  San  Jose, 
both  of  which  posts  were  threatened  by  guerilla  bands, 
under  their  chiefs,  Pinada  and  Mijares.  The  latter 
appeared  before  the  works  at  San  Jose,  which  merely 
consisted  of  two  adobe  houses,  with  150  men  and  two 
pieces  of  cannon.  At  the  commencement  of  the 
attack,  the  guerilla  leader  was  killed,  and  his  men 


486  THE  GUER1LLEROS  ROUTED. 

retired  from  before  the  post  on  the  arrival  of  the 
Portsmouth.  Ten  more  men  were  added  to  the  com 
mand  of  Lieutenant  Hey  wood ;  the  houses  occupied 
by  his  force  were  connected  by  a  high  wall,  the  doors 
bastioned,  and  the  windows  filled  in.  Pinada  was 
known  to  be  within  twenty  miles  of  San  Jose,  with 
from  four  to  five  hundred  men,  but,  as  every  thing 
appeared  quiet,  the  Portsmouth  again  set  sail  for 
another  part  of  the  coast.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Burton 
was  besieged  for  three  weeks  by  the  force  under  Pi 
nada,  when  he  organized  a  storming  party,  under  "Cap 
tain  Steele,  who  drove  the  enemy  from  their  works, 
and  captured  their  flag. 

The  guerilleros,  under  Pinada,  having  been  driven 
from  La  Paz,  once  more  appeared  before  San  Jose, 
after  the  departure  of  the  Portsmouth,  and  closely 
invested  the  place.  From  the  24th  of  January,  1848, 
to  the  14th  of  February,  the  efforts  of  the  enemy 
to  capture  the  post,  were  unintermitting,  and  a  severe 
fire  was  constantly  kept  up.  The  provisions  of  the 
garrison  were  getting  very  low,  though  their  courage 
and  determination  rose  higher  as  their  difficulties 
increased  ;  they  were  strictly  confined  to  the  cuartel ; 
Passed  Midshipman  Duncan  and  six  men  were  taken 
prisoners,  and  on  the  llth  of  February  Passed  JVfid- 
hipman  McLanahan  was  killed.  The  water  was  also 
cut  off,  and  disease  was  fast  generating.  Fortunately, 
to  the  great  joy  of  the  garrison,  Commander  Du  Pont 
arrived  from  La  Paz,  at  sunset  on  the  14th  of  Feb 
ruary.  At  daylight  on  the  15th,  he  landed  with  100 
men  ;  Lieutenant  Heywood  sallied  out  with  his  party  ; 
and  after  a  short,  but  well-contested  conflict,  they 
effectually  routed  the  enemy,  killing  and  wounding 


AFFAIRS    IN    NEW    MEXICO.  487 

over  fifty  of  their  number,  and  making  a  great  many 
prisoners. 

Commodore  Shubrick  was  now  relieved  in  com 
mand  of  the  Pacific  Squadron,  by  Commodore  T. 
Ap  Catesby  Jones,  who  arrived  in  the  Ohio,  seventy- 
four.  All  the  principal  ports  on  the  coast  being 
at  this  time,  either  occupied,  or  rigorously  blockaded, 
no  other  event  of  importance  transpired,  until  the 
cessation  of  hostilities. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1847,  General  Price,  with 
a  portion  of  his  troops,  whose  terms  of  service  had 
expired,  returned  to  Missouri,  leaving  Major  Walker 
in  command  at  Santa  Fe.  Colonel  Nevvby,  of  the  6th 
Illinois,  had  previously  been  ordered  to  New  Mexico 
with  his  regiment,  and  was  then  on  the  road.  He 
was  soon  followed  by  a  battalion  of  Missouri  infantry, 
under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Easton,  and  the  4th  Mis 
souri  cavalry,  under  Colonel  Rails.  Another  battalion 
of  Missouri  volunteers,  consisting  of  cavalry,  infantry 
and  artillery,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gilpin,  was 
ordered  to  keep  the  road  open  between  Fort  Leav- 
enworth  and  Santa  Fe — the  Indians  still  continuing 
their  attacks  on  the  American  trains.* 

General  Price  returned  to  Santa  Fe  in  the  fall,  and 
directed  the  troops  under  his  command,  about  3,000  in 
number,  to  be  distributed  throughout  the  valley  of  the 
Rio  Grande,  from  Taos  to  El  Paso.  Governor  Armijof 
made  no  attempt  to  recover  the  authority  that  had 

*  Still  another  battalion  of  Missouri  cavalry,  under  Lieutenant  Colo 
nel  Powell,  was  mustered  into  service,  and  ordered  upon  the  route  to 
Oregon,  to  construct  a  chain  of  military  posts  to  that  territory. 

f  Governor  Armijo  was  not  in  very  good  odor  with  some  of  his  coun 
trymen,  and,  in  the  month  of  August,  he  was  arrested  at  Chihuahua, 
by  order  of  Governor  Trias,  for  indulging  too  freely  in  his  commenti 
upon  the  battle  of  Sacramento. 


488  SANTA    CRUZ    DE    RO9ALES. 

been  wrested  from  him,  and  no  event  of  particular 
moment  occurred,  until  early  in  February,  1848,  when 
intelligence  was  received,  from  various  sources,  that 
General  Urrea,  at  the  head  of  a  large  body  of  lancers, 
was  moving  upon  El  Paso,  where  Colonel  Rails  was  in 
command,  with  a  part  of  his  regiment.  These  reports 
were  confirmed  by  the  capture  of  a  small  party  of 
Mexicans,  near  Carrizal,  below  El  Paso ;  letters  an 
nouncing  the  intended  march  of  Urrea  being  found  on 
their  commanding  officer.  An  express  was  immedi 
ately  dispatched  to  General  Price,  with  the  infor 
mation  obtained,  who  left  Santa  Fe  at  once,  with  two 
companies  of  the  1st  dragoons,  under  Major  Beall ; 
one  company  of  the  same  regiment,  acting  as  artillery, 
under  Lieutenant  Love ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Easton's 
battalion  ;  and  the  Santa  Fe  battalion,  under  Major 
Walker.  On  the  20th  of  February  the  command 
reached  El  Paso.  It  was  now  ascertained  that  the 
reported  advance  of  Urrea  was  unfounded  ;  but  Gen 
eral  Price  also  learned,  that  Governor  Trias  had  col 
lected  between  1,500  and  2,000  men,  and  fourteen 
pieces  of  artillery,  at  Santa  Cruz  de  Resales,  a  strongly 
fortified  town,  about  sixty  miles  beyond  Chihuahua, 
and  determined  to  march  down  and  attack  him. 

General  Price  left  El  Paso  on  the  1st  of  March  with 
400  men,  and  arrived  at  Chihuahua  on  the  7th,  per 
forming  the  distance  of  two  hundred  and  eighty-one 
miles  in  seven  days.  After  Colonel  Doniphan's  de 
parture,  Chihuahua  had  been  reoccupied  by  the  Mex 
ican  authorities,  and  General  Price  was  met,  on  his 
approach,  by  a  civic  deputation,  who  represented  that 
a  treaty  of  peace  had  been  concluded,  and  requested 
him  not  to  enter  the  city.  Doubting  the  information, 
as  he  had  received  no  official  intelligence  of  the  fact, 


GENERAL  PRICE  ATTACKS  THE  CITY.       489 

General  Price  entered  the  town,  and  on  the  ensuing 
day  continued  his  march  to  Santa  Cruz  de  Resales 
where  he  arrived  in  the  evening.  On  the  morning  of 
the  9th  he  summoned  Governor  Trias  to  surrender 
The  latter  refused  to  comply,  stating,  also,  that  it  was 
understood  there,  that  the  war  had  been  terminated  by 
a  treaty.  Considerable  parleying  ensued,  and  Genera. 
Price  finally  consented  to  wait  for  four  days,  during 
which  time  a  messenger  was  expected  to  return,  who 
had  been  sent  by  the  governor,  to  ascertain  whether 
the  rumor  in  regard  to  a  treaty  was  well  founded. 

After  waiting  twice  the  specified  time,  and  having 
been  joined  by  a  reinforcement  of  300  men,  whom  he 
had  directed  to  follow  him,  with  the  artillery,  General 
Price  determined  to  attack  the  position,  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  16th  of  March.  Another  demand  for  a  sur 
render  was  made,  which  was  rejected,  and  the  action 
then  commenced  by  a  lively  cannonade.  A  good 
impression  having  been  produced,  General  Price  di 
vided  his  command  into  three  parties,  under  Colonel 
Rails,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Lane,  and  Major  Walker, 
who  were  directed  to  attack  the  works  from  three  dif 
ferent  positions.  The  contest  was  maintained  with 
vigor  until  eleven  o'clock,  when  it  was  suspended  in 
consequence  of  a  rumor,  which  proved  to  be  false, 
that  a  body  of  lancers  were  moving  up  in  the  rear. 
At  three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  attack  was 
renewed  with  increased  zeal,  and  continued  until  sun 
set,  when  the  Americans  had  burrowed  through  the 
houses  to  the  Plaza;  and  the  Mexicans  then  surren 
dered  at  discretion. 

The  enemy  lost  300  killed  and  wounded  at  the 
storming  of  Santa  Cruz  de  Rosales,  while  the  Ameri 
can  loss  was  but  five  killed  and  twenty  wounded. 


490         CAPTURE  OF  GOVERNOR  TRIAS. 

Governor  Trias  and  forty  of  his  officers,  with  a  num 
ber  of  men,  were  taken  prisoners  ;  and  14  pieces  of 
artillery,  and  2.000  stands  of  small  arms,  were  also 
captured  by  the  Americans.  On  the  18th  of  March, 
General  Price  returned  to  Chihuahua,  taking  with  him 
Governor  Trias,  and  most  of  the  prisoners ;  and  leav 
ing  Colonel  Rails  to  follow  him  as  soon  as  practicable. 
The  report  in  relation  to  the  treaty  was  afterwards 
ascertained  to  be  correct ;  and  Governor  Trias,  and 
his  officers  and  men,  were  set  at  liberty,  and  the  cap 
tured  property  restored. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

TREATY    OF    PEACE. 

Firmness  of  the  Mexican  Administration— Treaty  of  Peace  Concluded 
— Skirmishes — Expedition  of  General  Lane — Ratification  of  the 
Treaty — Evacuation  of  Mexico  by  the  American  Troops — Reflections 
— The  Territory  Acquired — Capacity  of  our  Country  for  War — Con 
clusion. 

IT  was  difficult  for  the  Mexican  nation  to  make  the 
humiliating  acknowledgment,  even  to  themselves, — 
their  Castilian  pride  revolted  at  the  thought, — that 
they  were  compelled  to  sue  for  peace ;  that  the  eagle 
of  Anahuac,  breathing  a  softer,  but  more  enervating 
atmosphere,  was  no  match  for  the  prouder  and  hardier 
bird  of  the  North.  But  there  was  no  alternative  ;  the 
Congress,  which  had  taken  a  recess  shortly  after  the 
election  of  General  Anaya  as  Provisional  President, 
reassembled  in  January,  1848 ;  and  a  report  was  then 
made,  in  regard  to  the  condition  of  the  army,  and  the 
number  of  troops  necessary  for  the  vigorous  prosecu 
tion  of  hostilities.  It  was  found  that  65,000  men  would 
be  required  to  carry  on  the  war  with  any  prospect  of 
success.  To  raise  this  force  was  impossible,  and,  were 
it  otherwise,  the  republic  was  without  the  means  to  pay 
them.  Her  forts  and  arsenals  were  in  possession  of 
the  enemy ;  her  military  stores  and  supplies  were  nearly 
exhausted  ;  her  resources  were  rapidly  diminishing  ;  and 
the  American  commander,  backed  by  his  victorious  sol 
diers,  was  already  levying  heavy  contributions  upon 


492         TREATY  OF  PEA^E  CONCLUDED. 

the  country.*  Her  navy — she  had  none ;  and  her  pri 
vateer  commissions,  and  certificates  of  citizenship,  were 
bandied  about  in  the  market,  without  purchasers  or 
bidders. f 

General  Anaya's  term  of  office  expiring  on  the  8th 
of  January,  he  was  succeeded  by  Pena  y  Pena,  as 
President  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Justice.  There 
was  no  change,  however,  in  the  determination  of  those 
at  the  head  of  the  government,  to  conclude  a  peace. 
Attempts  to  incite  a  revolt  were  made  during  the  win 
ter,  in  the  states  of  San  Luis,  Zacatecas,  Guanajuato, 
Jalisco,  and  Oajaca,  by  the  Puros  and  the  followers  of 
Santa  Anna  and  Paredes ;  and,  in  January,  a  pronun- 
ciamento  was  issued,  at  San  Luis  Potosi,  in  favor  of 
continuing  the  war,  and  against  the  course  pursued  by 
the  administration.  But  the  Mexican  Executive  was 
firm  and  decided,  and  his  vigilant  measures  prevented 
an  outbreak.  The  negotiations  were  continued,  and 
on  the  2nd  of  February,  1848,  a  Treaty  of  Peace  was 
signed,  by  the  Mexican  Commissioners  and  Mr.  Trist, 
at  the  city  of  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo. 


*  General  Scott  ordered  a  yearly  contribution  to  be  paid  by  the  Mex 
ican  States,  (New  Mexico,  California  and  Yucatan  excepted,)  amount 
ing  in  the  aggregate,  for  the  year  1848,  to  $2,745,000,  which  was  nearly 
quadruple  the  former  annual  assessments  of  the  federal  government  of 
Mexico. 

f  Fears  were  entertained  in  our  principal  commercial  cities,  prior  to 
the  commencement  of  the  war,  that  serious  injury  would  be  inflicted  or> 
American  commerce,  in  the  event  of  the  occurrence  of  hostilities,  by 
Mexican  privateers.  "  With  Mexico,"  said  Mr.  Theodore  Sedgwick,  in 
his  "  Thoughts  on  the  Proposed  Annexation  of  Texas,"  (p.  2*2,  second 
edition,  New  York,  1844,) — "  with  Mexico  no  glory  can  be  earned,  and 
she  has  scarcely  a  dollar  afloat, — while  the  privateers,  the  legalized 
pirates  of  all  mankind,  would  sweep  our  commerce  from  the  seas." 
These  apprehensions  proved  to  be  unfounded,  or  rather,  they  failed  to 
be  realized. 


ITS    PROVISIONS.  493 

The  provisions  of  the  treaty  were  very  similar  to 
those  contained  in  the  projet  rejected  by  the  Mexican 
Commissioners,  in  obedience  to  the  instructions  of  Santa 
Anna,  in  August,  1847.  It  was  provided  that  the 
boundary  line  between  the  two  republics  should  com 
mence  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  three  leagues  from  land, 
opposite  the  mouth  of  the  Rio  Grande,  or  the  deepest 
channel  of  the  river,  if  there  should  be  more  than  one 
emptying  directly  into  the  sea, — running  thence  up  the 
middle  of  the  river,  to  the  southern  boundary  of  New 
Mexico — thence  along  such  boundary,  to  its  western 
termination — thence  northerly,  along  the  western  boun 
dary  of  New  Mexico,  to  the  first  branch,  or  to  the  point 
nearest  the  first  branch,  of  the  river  Gila — thence  down 
the  Rio  Gila  to  the  Rio  Colorado — thence,  crossing  the 
latter  river,  and  following  the  division  line  between 
Upper  and  Lower  California,  to  the  Pacific  ocean,  at 
a  point  one  marine  league  due  south  of  the  southern 
most  point  of  the  port  of  San  Diego.*  It  was  also  pro 
vided,  that  the  vessels  and  citizens  of  the  United  States 
should  have  the  right  freely  to  navigate  the  Gulf  of 
California,  and  the  Rio  Colorado,  to  and  from  the  ter 
ritories  of  said  United  States  ;f  that  the  river  Gila,  and 
the  Rio  Grande  below  the  southern  boundary  of  New 
Mexico,  should  be  common  to  the  citizens  and  vessels 
of  both  republics ;  J  and  that  all  places,  and  forts,  with 
fheir  armaments,§  (the  city  of  Mexico,  within  the  .inner 

*  The  guide,  fixed  by  the  treaty,  for  ascertaining  the  boundaries  of 
New  Mexico,  is  the  Map  of  the  United  Mexican  States,  (revised  edi 
tion,  New  York,  1847,)  published  by  J.  Disturnell ;  and  for  determining 
the  southernmost  point  of  the  port  of  San  Diego,  the  plan  of  the  port 
made  in  1782,  by  Don  Juan  Pantojer,  and  published  in  1802,  at  Madrid, 
in  the  Atlas  to  the  Voyages  of  the  Schooners  Sutil  and  Mexicana.— 
Treaty  of  Peace,  Article  V. 

f  Treaty  of  Peace,  Article  VI.  %  Ibid.,  Article  VII. 

^  This  provision  of  the  treaty  occasioned  some  little  difficulty  between 


494  OPPOSED    BY    PAREDES. 

line  of  intrenchments,  being  included  in  this  provision,) 
occupied  by  the  American  troops,  and  not  embraced 
within  the  limits  of  the  ceded  territory,  should  be  re 
stored.* 

It  was  further  agreed,  by  the  treaty,  in  consideration 
of  the  cession  of  territory  before  mentioned,  that  the 
inhabitants  of  such  territory,  choosing  to  remain  after 
the  transfer,  should  be  forever  protected  in  the  full  en 
joyment  of  their  liberty,  religion  and  property,  and,  as 
soon  as  practicable,  be  admitted  to  the  rights  and  pri 
vileges  of  citizens  of  the  United  States  ;f  and  that  the 
United  States  should  pay  to  Mexico,  the  sum  of  fifteen 
millions  of  dollars,  and  assume  the  claims  due  her  citi 
zens,  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  three  and  one-fourth 
millions  of  dollars — Mexico  being  entirely  released  and 
discharged  from  the  payment  of  such  claims,  f 

The  Mexican  Congress  was  not  in  session  at  the 
time  the  treaty  was  signed,  but  a  number  of  the  mem 
bers  were  then  at  Queretaro,  and  were  consulted  in 
regard  to  its  provisions, — a  large  majority  of  them  sig 
nifying  their  approbation.  UE1  Progreso,"  the  organ 
of  the  revolutionists  at  Queretaro,  violently  opposed 
the  treaty  ?  declaring,  among  other  things,  that  the  sum 
of  fifty  millions  of  dollars  ought  to  have  been  exacted 
from  the  United  States.  Paredes  and  his  adherents 
likewise  attempted  another  revolution  in  San  Luis ; 

General  Butler,  and  the  Commissioners  appointed  by  the  Mexican  gov 
ernment  to  witness  the  restoration  of  the  forts  and  armaments.  The 
latter  insisted  that  the  heavy  guns  captured  at  Contreras  and  Churu- 
busco  should  be  restored.  General  Butler  referred  the  matter  to  the 
Acting  Inspectoi  General,  and.  upon  his  report,  refused  peremptorily  to 
surrender  them.  The  Mexicans  finally  yielded  the  point,  rather  than 
that  the  war  should  be  renewed. 

*  Treaty  of  Peace,  Article  IV.  t  Ibid.,  Article  IX. 

$  Ibid.,  Articles  XII.— XV. 


GUEKILLA    DEPREDATIONS.  495 

but  General  Bustamente  immediately  moved  with  a 
division  from  Guanajuato,  where  he  had  been  stationed 
to  keep  down  the  disaffection  in  that  quarter,  and  ar 
rived  at  San  Luis  Potosi  on  the  27th  of  March.  The 
revolutionists  made  attempts  to  tamper  with  his  fidel 
ity,  but  finding  him  firm  in  his  adherence  to  the  admin 
istration,  they  abandoned  their  projects,  for  the  pres- 
sent. 

In  the  meantime,  the  American  army  had  made  no 
new  movement  of  importance ;  except,  that  in  the 
month  of  February,  Orizaba  was  occupied  by  Colonel 
Bankhead,  of  the  2nd  artillery,  with  1,200  men,  con 
sisting  of  the  13th  infantry,  the  Alabama  battalion,  and 
a  detachment  of  cavalry.  Several  skirmishes,  how 
ever,  took  place  with  the  guerilleros,  who  persisted  in 
committing  their  depredations  on  the  line  of  the  Na 
tional  road. 

On  the  1st  of  February,  1848,  Captain  Lamb,  with 
his  company  of  the  5th  Illinois,  encountered  a  Mexican 
reconnoitering  party  near  Tampico ;  but  at  the  first 
discharge,  the  enemy  fled,  leaving  a  number  of  horses, 
and  their  commanding  officer  and  one  of  his  men,  in 
the  hands  of  the  Americans.  On  the  4th  instant,  Lieu 
tenant  Lilly,  of  the  Louisiana  cavalry,  attacked  twice 
his  force,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Puebla,  and  soon 
routed  them ;  killing  fifteen  of  the  party,  and  captur 
ing  the  remainder,  with  their  arms,  horses,  and  accou 
trements.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Biscoe,  of  the  Louisiana 
rangers,  left  Vera  Cruz,  on  the  19th  of  February,  for 
Orizaba,  with  a  detachment  of  Georgia  and  Louisiana 
cavalry.  About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  between 
forty  and  fifty  guerilleros  were  discovered  in  the  road, 
near  a  place  called  Matacordera.  Captain  Wafford,  in 
the  advance,  with  twenty-five  of  the  Georgia  men, 


496  EXPEDITION    UNDER    GENERAL    LANE. 

rushed  upon  them,  when  they  fell  back  to  'a  hedge  of 
chaparral,  which,  in  an  instant,  swarmed  with  the 
enemy,  estimated  to  have  been  from  three  to  four  hun 
dred  strong.  Captain  WaiTord  charged  through  their 
line,  and  then  cut  his  way  back.  Still,  his  men  were 
rapidly  falling,  and  must  have  been  completely  cut  off, 
had  not  Lieutenant  Colonel  Biscoe  arrived  in  time  to 
rescue  the  party.  After  he  came  up  with  the  remain 
der  of  his  force,  the  guerilleros  were  easily  driven  from 
the  road.  In  this  affair,  Lieutenant  Henderson,  of  the 
Louisiana  cavalry,  was  killed,  with  four  men  of  the 
command,  and  there  were  twenty  wounded. 

General  Lane, — not  inappropriately  styled,  by  his 
brother  officers  and  soldiers,  '*  the  Marion  of  the  army," 
— set  out  from  the  city  of  Mexico,  on  the  17th  of  Febru 
ary,  on  another  secret  expedition,  with  the  same  com 
mand  that  accompanied  him  to  Tehuacan  and  Orizaba, 
in  January.  Advancing,  with  the  utmost  speed,  over 
rough  and  difficult  roads,  and  along  miserable  trails, 
and  making  frequent  rapid  night  marches,  he  arrived 
at  Tulancingo,  the  residence  'of  Paredes,  early  in  the 
morning  of  the  21st  instant.  Paredes  was  fortunate 
enough  to  make  his  escape  a  few  moments  before  his 
house  was  surrounded.  Having  rested  his  men  at  Tu 
lancingo  during  the  day,  General  Lane  resumed  his 
march  on  the  22nd,  and  reached  Tehualtaplan,  where, 
as  he  learned,  there  were  about  1,000  Mexican  lancers 
and  guerilleros,  under  Colonel  Montano  and  Padre  Ja- 
rauta,  at  sunrise  on  the  23rd. 

As  the  Americans  entered  the  town  the  escopeta 
balls  came  whistling  about  their  heads  from  nearly 
every  house.  Headed  by  General  Lane,  Colonel  Hays 
and  Majt>r  Polk,  the  rangers  and  dragoons  dashed 
upon  the  enemy,  fighting  their  way,  hand-to-hand,  into 


PROVISIONAL    SUSPENSION    OF    HOSTILITIES.         497 

the  houses,  and  cutting  down  every  man  who  refused 
to  surrender.  A  portion  of  the  Mexicans  rallied  and 
formed  outside  the  town,  but  a  vigorous  charge,  led  by 
General  Lane  and  Colonel  Hays,  quickly  put  them  to 
rout.  Jarauta,  who  was  wounded  in  the  conflict,  again 
escaped ;  one  hundred  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  how 
ever,  among  whom  were  Colonel  Montano,  and  the 
bosom  friend  of  Jarauta,  Padre  Martinez;  a  still  greater 
number  were  wounded  ;  and  there  were  fifty  taken 
prisoners.  General  Lane  lost  one  man  killed  and  four 
wounded.  Quiet  was  soon  restored  in  the  town,  after 
the  fighting  had  ceased,  and  the  Americans  returned  to 
the  capital,  taking  with  them  their  prisoners,  and  a 
quantity  of  recovered  property  that  had  been  plundered 
from  different  trains. 

General  Scott  was  relieved  from  duty  in  Mexico,  at 
his  own  request,  on  the  19th  of  February,  when  the 
command  was  assumed  by  General  Butler.  On  the 
5th  of  March,  a  military  convention,  for  the  provis 
ional  suspension  of  hostilities,  was  ratified  in  the  capi 
tal,  under  which  the  civil  authority  in  most  of  the 
towns  occupied  by  the  American  troops  was  shortly 
after  surrendered  to  the  officers  regularly  chosen  by 
the  citizens.  The  guerilleros  were  now  tolerably  quiet, 
though  they  occasionally  attacked  the  merchant  trains. 
On  the  30th  of  March  a  train  of  Mexican  merchandise 
was  plundered  by  a  band  of  marauders,  at  Paso  del 
Bobo.  Colonel  Hughes  being  informed  of  the  transac 
tion,  a  party  of  Texan  rangers  were  ordered  out  from 
Jalapa,  under  Captain  Daggett,  who  followed  the  trail 
of  the  guerilleros,  and  overtook  them  as  they  entered 
the  village  of  Desplobade.  But  one  of  the  bandits 
escaped  ;  the  remainder,  thirteen  in  number,  were  cap 
tured  and  shot.  This  blow  was  effectual.  Towards 


498  EVACUATION    OF    THfi    COUNTRY. 

the  latter  part  of  March  a  large  merchant  train  left 
Vera  Cruz  for  the  city  of  Mexico,  escorted  by  a  mixed 
command  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Loomis,  of  the  6th 
infantry ;  but  they  were  not  molested  by  the  gueril- 
leros.* 

The  treaty  concluded  at  Guadaloupe  Hidalgo  was 
received  at  Washington,  while  the  American  Congress 
was  in  session,  and  in  the  midst  of  a  discussion  on  va 
rious  propositions  for  a  still  greater  increase  of  the 
army.  Although  the  powers  of  Mr.  Trist  had  been 
revoked,  and  he  had  been  recalled,  prior  to  the  conclu 
sion  of  the  treaty,  President  Polk  very  properly  decided 
to  regard  his  disobedience  of  orders  as  a  matter  resting 
solely  between  himself  and  his  government,  and  there 
fore  communicated  the  document  to  the  Senate.  That 
body  approved  the  treaty,  after  making  some  amend 
ments  affecting  but  slightly  the  provisions  before  re 
ferred  to,  on  the  10th  of  March ;  and  on  the  30th  of 
May  following,  the  necessary  ratifications  were  ex 
changed,  at  Queretaro,  by  Ambrose  H.  Sevier,  and 
Nathan  Clifford,  the  Commissioners  appointed  for  that 
purpose  by  the  American  government,  and  Serior  Rosa, 
Minister  of  Internal  and  Foreign  Relations  of  Mexico, 
— the  Mexican  Congress  having  previously  ratified  the 
treaty,  as  amended. 

The  American  troops  immediately  commenced  the 
evacuation  of  the  Mexican  territory.  The  division  of 
General  Worth  was  the  last  to  leave  the  capital.  On 
the  morning  of  the  12th  of  June,  it  took  up  the  line  of 
march  for  Vera  Cruz.  The  American  Hag,  after  being 

*  Captain  Shover  accompanied  this  train  with  his  battery.  On 
leaving  Vera  Cruz,  he  attached  a  viamcter  to  one  of  his  gun-carriages, 
by  which  it  appeared  that  the  distance  to  Mexico  was  only  252£  miles,— 
about  forty  rnilea  less  than  it  has  generally  been  considered. 


EFFECT    OF   THE    WAR    ON    MEXICO.  499 

saluted  by  the  Mexican  artillery,  in  command  of  Gen 
eral  La  Vega,  was  lowered  from  the  National  Palace, 
and  the  Mexican  standard  once  more  ascended  in  its 
former  place.  The  latter  was  saluted,  in  turn,  by  the 
battery  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duncan,  which  had  been 
the  first  to  open  its  thunders  on  the  battle-field  of  Palo 
Alto. 

The  war  with  Mexico  is  now  ended.  Its  results,  be 
they  for  good  or  for  evil,  are  in  progress  of  accomplish 
ment.  To  our  sister  republic,  if  she  regard  it  aright, 
this  contest  may  prove  a  useful  lesson.  Whether  the 
principle  affirmed  by  the  American  government,  in  the 
annexation  of  Texas,  which,  as  we  have  seen,  was  the 
original  moving  cause  of  the  war,  though  not  neces 
sarily  so, — that  a  revolted  province,  by  maintaining  a 
successful  rebellion  against  the  authority  of  the  mother 
country  for  a  period  of  eight  years,  acquires  the  right 
to  be  regarded,  for  all  purposes,  as  an  independent  na 
tion  ;  whether  this  be  correct,  or  incorrect — and  the 
time  certainly  appears  reasonable — it  cannot  be  forgot 
ten,  that  Mexico  herself  invited  hostilities,  by  a  refusal 
to  negotiate.  The  direct  consequence  of  this  refusal 
was  the  advance  of  the  American  troops  to  the  Rio 
Grande, — the  immediate  cause  of  the  war,  it  is  true, 
but  the  only  mode  by  which  the  United  States  could 
have  asserted  her  title,  when  all  intercourse  with 
Mexico  was  suspended,  to  the  territory  admitted  to  be 
in  dispute. — This  war,  then,  will  caution  Mexico  against 
assuming,  on  any  other  occasion,  a  false  attitude  at  the 
very  commencement  of  an  international  difficulty.  It 
will  teach  her,  too,  the  importance  of  cultivating  har 
mony  at  home,  and  of  manifesting  and  preserving,  at 
all  times,  good  faith  in  her  dealings  with  other  nations. 


500  THE  TERRITORY  ACQUIRED. 

Clouds  and  darkness  still  hover  over  her  lovely  valleys 
and  her  snow-capped  mountains  ;*  yet,  blessed,  as,  we 
may  hope,  she  will  one  day  be,  with  a  firm,  stable,  and 
prudent  government,  it  will  be  easy  for  her  to  redeem 
the  past,  and  to  accomplish  a  high  destiny  for  the 
future. 

But  what  have  the  United  States  gained  by  the  war? 
— Its  necessary  consequence,  although  not  its  object, 
has  been,  the  addition  to  our  territory  of  a  tract  of 
country  exceeding  500,000  square  miles  in  extent. f 
The  importance  of  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  and  the 
other  harbors  on  the  Pacific  ocean,  embraced  within 
the  limits  of  the  territory  acquired,  has  been  heretofore 
noticed. J  Divers  opinions  are  entertained  with  regard 
to  the  value  of  the  acquisition  in  other  respects,  and  it 
will,  perhaps,  be  impossible  to  reconcile  them,  until  its 
resources,  and  productive  capacity,  are  fully  developed, 
under  the  more  favorable  auspices  which  always  ac 
company  American  industry  and  enterprise. 

Recent  travellers  give  no  very  flattering  description 

*  The  result  of  the  canvass  of  the  vote  for  President,  so  often  post 
poned,  was  officially  declared  soon  after  the  ratification  of  the  treaty. 
It  appeared,  as  had  all  along  been  supposed,  that  General  Herrera  had 
been  duly  elected.  He,  at  first,  declined  to  serve  ;  but,  as  Congress  re 
fused  to  accept  his  resignation,  he  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  office. 
Paredes  at  once  renewed  his  efforts  to  excite  a  revolt.  He  collected  a 
large  force  at  Guanajuato,  in  June,  18 48,  seized  the  mint,  and  carefully 
fortified  his  position.  On  the  18th  of4  July,  he  was  attacked  by  the 
government  troops,  under  Generals  Bustamente,  Lombardini,  Cortizar, 
Minon,  and  Ortega.  His  troops  were  routed  with  great  loss  ;  most  of 
his  fortifications  were  carried,  and  he  was  forced  to  fly,  and  secrete 
himself  for  safety.  Jarauta.  the  padre  and  guerillero,  was  with  Paredes, 
and  was  captured  in  the  engagement,  and  instantly  shot. 

t  The  area  of  Upper  California  is  448,691  square  miles,  and  that  of 
New  Mexico,  77,387. 

$  Ante,  pp.  123,  124. 


ITS    RESOURCES    AND    PRODUCTS.  501 

of  large  portions  of  New  Mexico  and  California  ;*  but, 
it  must  be  remembered,  that  mere  tourists  for  pleasure 
are  far  from  being  reliable  authorities.  The  dry  sandy 
plains  of  New  Mexico  will  never  be  redeemed,  in  all 
probability,  from  the  curse  of  barrenness  ;  through  all 
time  they  must  continue  to  appear  as  they  now  do — 
"blasted  with  antiquity."  Yet  the  territory  is  not  en 
tirely  a  desert,  nor  is  the  Santa  Fe  trade,  which  has 
been  of  so  much  profit  to  some  of  our  western  cities, 
in  past  years,  a  mere  fiction. f  Copper  ore  abounds  in 
the  mountains ;  coal  exists,  in  large  quantities,  in  the 
Raton  range,  and  at  Cerillas  and  Taos ;  and  there  are 
said  to  be  valuable  gold  mines  south  of  Santa  Fe.J 
The  valley  of  the  Rio  Grande,  from  Santa  Fe  to  the 
southern  boundary  of  New  Mexico,  throughout  its 
greater  extent,  is  thickly  dotted  with  farm-houses,  and 
lined  with  fertile  fields,  with  orchards  and  vineyards ; 
and  to  the  north  of  Santa  Fe,  there  are  extensive  pas 
ture  lands  capable  of  grazing  an  immense  number  of 
cattle. 

Comparatively  little  information  has  been  so  far  ob 
tained  in  regard  to  the  great  interior  basin  of  Califor 
nia,  lying  east  of  the  Sierra  Nevada.  Between  the 
Sierra  and  the  Pacific,  there  is  a  strip  of  land,  from  one 
hundred  to  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  wide,  which  is 
nearly  all  productive.  Wheat  is  grown  in  abundance 
in  the  territory ;  wine  is  produced  in  the  valley  of  the 
San  Gabriel,  and  there  are  vineyards,  also,  in  other 
parts  of  the  country  ;  the  hills  and  plains  are  covered 

*  Adventures  in  Mexico  and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  by  G.  F.  Ruiton; 
Scenes  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  etc.,  by  a  New  Englander. 

•f  Gregg's  Commerce  on  the  Prairies. 

t  Letter  of  Senor  Manuel  Alvarez,  lute  American  Consul  at  Santa  F6, 
to  Hon.  J.  Houghton. 


502    THE  CAPACITY  OF  OUR  COUNTRY  FOR  WAR. 

with  sheep  'and  cattle ;  and  large  quantities  of  hides 
are  annually  prepared  for  exportation.*  Oranges, 
limes,  figs,  olives,  grapes,  apples,  and  peaches,  grow 
thriftily,  and  yield  abundantly.  The  gardens  attached 
to  the  old  Roman  mission  establishments,  at  Yerba 
Buena,  San  Luis  Rey,  and  San  Diego,  are  fairly 
choked  up,  with  the  fruit-trees  and  shrubbery,  that  have 
been  suffered  to  grow,  for  many  years,  unchecked  and 
unpruned.  The  climate  of  the  territory  is  mild  and 
equable ;  the  winters  are  rainy ;  and,  though  the  sum 
mers  are  dry,  there  are  heavy  dews  to  cool  the  air  and 
moisten  the  ground. f 

The  pecuniary  considerations  growing  out  of,  or  con 
nected  with  the  "  war,  lose  much  of  their  importance, 
however,  when  we  consider  its  other  results.  The 
ability  of  the  country  to  vindicate  her  honor  and 
maintain  her  rights — her  great  capacity  for  war,  either 
offensive  or  defensive, — has  been  signally  demonstrated. 
The  tendency  of  this  will  be,  to  increase,  in  an  eminent 
degree,  the  respect  and  deference  paid  to  our  govern 
ment  by  other  nations.  Called  upon,  at  brief  notice,  to 
raise  and  equip  a  large  army, — this  was  accomplished  ; 
and,  under  such  circumstances,  we  entered  into  a  con 
test  with  a  people  not  unpractised  in  "  war's  vast  art/' 
or  unacquainted  with  the  improvements  of  modern 

*  Folsom's  Mexico  in  1842. 

f  Persons  living  upon  or  near  the  Atlantic  are  very  apt,  in  instituting 
a  comparison  between  their  own  climate  and  productions,  and  those  of 
the  same  latitude  on  the  Pacific  coast,  to  overlook  the  fact,  that  isother 
mal  lines,  or  lines  of  equal  temperature,  traverse  the  surface  of  the  earth 
with  f  n  eccentricity  varying  very  materially  from  the  parallels  of  latitude. 
In  the  valley  of  the  Willamete,  which  lies  above  the  45th  degree  of  north 
latitude,  the  snow  never  falls  to  a  greater  depth  than  three  or  four 
inches;  green  peas  are  eaten  at  Christmas ;  the  grass  grows  all  winter, 
and  cattle  are  rarely  housed. — Father  De  Smets'  Oregon  Missions  and 
Travel*  over  the  Rocky  Mountains. 


EFFICIENCY    OF    A    CITIZEN    SOLDIERY.  503 

science  :  attacking  them,  with  inferior  numbers,  in  the 
open  field,  or  assailing  them  when  posted  behind  fortifi 
cations  constructed  with  superior  skill,  yet  ever  achiev 
ing  the  same  result — a  brilliant  and  glorious  victory. 

We  have  shown  that,  in  an  emergency,  every  citi 
zen  may  become  a  soldier  ; — that,  at  all  times,  a  power 
ful  opponent,  in  a  defensive  war,  we  would  be  abso 
lutely  invincible  ; — that  the  military  school  at  West 
Point  has  diffused  a  large  amount  of  valuable  informa- 
iion  through  the  land  ;*  and  that,  while  we  have  offi 
cers,  whose  clear  and  matchless  combinations,  and 
sound  and  accurate  judgments,  entitle  them  to  take 
rank  with  the  Marlboroughs,  the  Ruperts,  and  the  Fred 
ericks  of  the  past,  and  the  noblest  captains  of  the  pres 
ent  age, — we  have,  also,  a  citizen  soldiery,  prompt  to 
obey  their  country's  call,  and  ready  to  brave  the  dan 
gers  of  war,  and  the  vicissitudes  of  an  unfriendly  cli 
mate — disregarding,  alike,  the  bolts  of  their  antago 
nists,  and  the  invisible  shafts  of  man's  great  enemy.f 

*  A  large  number  of  the  officers  belonging  to  the  ten  new  regiments 
added  to  the  regular  army  by  the  act  of  1847,  were  educated  at  West 
Point;  and  there  were  -nine  colonels,  nine  lieutemmt  colonels,  eight 
majors,  and  eight  captains,  of  the  volunteer  regiments,  who  were  grad 
uates  of  that  institution. — Statement  G,  accompanying  the  report  of 
Captain  Brewerton,  of  the  corps  of  engineers,  superintendent  of  the 
Military  Academy,  to  the  board  of  visitors,  June,  1847. 

t  The  aggregate  loss  of  the  Americans,  during  the  war,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  was  about  5,500;  of  whom  probably  two  thousand  were 
killed  on  the  field  of  battle,  or  subsequently  died  of  their  wounds.  But  the 
ravages  of  disease  were  far  more  appalling.  Even  in  the  city  of  Mexico, 
there  wore  nearly  1,000  deaths  in  the  army,  in  a  single  month, — the  cli 
mate  of  the  table  land  being  as  fatal  to  the  constitutions  of  the  soldiers 
enlisted  in  the  southern  states  of  the  Union,  as  was  the  noxious  atmos 
phere  of  the  tierra  calienif!,  to  those  from  the  northern  states.  The  1st 
and  2nd  Pennsylvania  regiments,  which  left  home  1  800  strong,  lost 
400  men  by  disease  alone,  and  a  large  number  were  discharged  as  being 
unfit  for  duty,  many  of  whom  are  supposed  to  have  died.  More  than 


504  EVILS    OP    WAR. 

But  the  unexampled  success  that  has  attended  our 
arms  in  this  struggle,  should  excite  no  vainglorious 
spirit,  no  boastful  arrogance,  no  overweening  confi 
dence.  Least  of  all — for  this  need  not  be — should  it 
excite  a  thirst  for  extended  empire.  The  glowing 
pages  of  Solis,  the  honest  enthusiasm  of  Bernal  Diaz, 
and  the  truthful  eloquence  of  our  own  Prescott,  may 
well  be  admired ;  but  the  career  of  Cortes  is  none  the 
less  unworthy  of  imitation,  because  it  is  adorned,  on  the 
pages  of  history,  by  the  charms  of  composition,  and  the 
graces  of  intellect.  Should  a  republic,  founded  as  an 
asylum  to.  which  the  wronged  and  the  oppressed  mght 
flee  for  safety — a  peaceful  refuge  from  tyranny  and 
wrong — forget  its  high  mission,  and  seek  for  glory  in 
foreign  conquests,  it  would,  indeed,  provoke  the  scorn 
and  derision  of  mankind. 

War  is  an  evil  ! — Its  crimsoned  fields,  scented  with 
slaughter,  and  steaming  with  corruption,  speak  volumes 
in  its  condemnation.  Its  pride  and  pomp  are  based  on 
human  misery.  The  attractions  of  martial  renown  are 
many  ;  but — alas  ! — at  what  an  enormous  sacrifice  are 
they  purchased  !  The  laurel- wreath  of  the  victor  may 
relieve,  but  it  cannot  conceal,  the  mournful  cypress  that 
droops  beside  it.  Scattered  all  over  our  fair  country, 
here  are  monuments,  like  the  tumuli  in  the  church- 
ards  of  the  Tyrol,  evidences  of  that  affection  which 
Clings  to  its  object  beyond  the  grave, — of  deep,  sincere, 
and  heartfelt  gratitude  ; — yet  do  they  also  testify  to  the 
suffering  and  wretchedness  that  war  has  occasioned. 

one-half  of  the  Georgia  infantry  battalion  died  in  Mexico,  and  the  3rd 
and  4th  Tennessee  volunteers  lost  3(JO  men  by  death,  without  having  ever 
been  in  an  engagement.  The  regular  regiments  suffered  a  great  deal 
in  this  respect,  though,  being  under  stricter  discipline,  in  nothing  liko 
the  tame  proportion. 


REFLECTIONS.  505 

As  Americans,  therefore,  sacredly  revering  the  memo 
ries  of  Washington  and  the  heroes  of  the  Revolution, 
— and  in  whose  minds  the  names  of  Jackson,  and  Har 
rison,  and  Brown,  are  imperishably  associated  with  the 
plains  of  Chalmette,  the  valley  of  the  Thames,  and  the 
heights  of  Niagara, — while  we  may  point  with  satisfac 
tion,  as  we  ought,  to  the  frowning  fortresses,  the  burn 
ing  sands,  and  the  lofty  mountains  of  Mexico,  as  the 
memorable  witnesses  of  the  skill,  genius,  and  gallantry, 
of  Scott  and  Taylor, —  of  Worth,  and  Wool,  and 
Tvviggs, — and  of  the  dauntless  courage  and  intrepidity 
of  the  brave  men  whom  they  led  forth  to  battle, — we 
should  do  no  injustice  to  them,  none  to  our  national 
character,  by  expressing  the  hope  that  this  may  be  the 
last  war  in  which  our  country  shall  be  engaged,  and 
that,  henceforth,  all  her  ways  may  be  ways  of  pleasant 
ness,  and  all  her  paths  be  peace. 

Still,  a  resort  to  arms  may  not  always  be  avoided. 
The  social  and  political  millennium,  to  which  the  phi 
lanthropist  and  Christian  look  forward  with  eager  and 
anxious  expectation,  has  not  yet  dawned  upon  us. 
The  privileges  and  blessings  of  peace,  desirable  as  they 
are.  may  sometimes  be  denied.  Caution  and  prudence, 
united  with  promptness  and  determination,  will  go 
very  far  to  secure  their  permanence.  u  Be  just,  but 
fear  not !" — should  ever  be  our  national  maxim. — Firm 
ness  is  the  policy  of  war,  as  it  is  the  policy  of  peace. 
Justice  to  our  own  citizens,  in  the  legislation  of  the 
country,  will  prevent  internal  feuds  and  dissensions ; 
and  justice  to  other  governments  will  save  us  from  the 
manifold  evils  of  war. 

So  long  as  this  remains  the  governing  principle  of  our 
diplomatic  intercourse,  should  collisions  unfortunately 
occur,  our  soldiers  will  not  forget,  in  the  hour  of  battle, 


500  CONCLUSION. 

that  he  is  thrice  armed,  "  who  hath  his  quarrel  just." 
This  reflection  will  be  to  him  both  sword  and  buckler ; 
it  will  stimulate  his  zeal,  and  arouse  his  courage;  it 
will  strengthen  his  heart,  and  be  a  panoply  for  his  pro 
tection.  By  adopting  this  policy,  too,  and  pursuing  it 
steadily  and  unerringly,  the  fire  of  liberty  kindled  by 
our  forefathers  in  this  western  wilderness,  will  long  be 
a  beacon  light  to  the  nations, — not,  like  the  darting 
nr»eteor,  fitful  and  evanescent,  but,  as  the  vestal  flame, 
brighter  and  purer,  ever  and  forever ! 


LOAN  DEPT. 


15Dw'6 


RECEIVED 

J^O-eT^M! 

. 

^^LOANJDEFT. 

AU621.UK     £ 

_ 

T    3197110. 


LD?lA,-40rj4.'6| 


rw»neral  Library 

Um^sSofCaliforrua 

Berkeley 


JHE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFQRNIA  LIBRARY 


